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gleanings 
From Southland 



SKETCHES OF LIFE AND MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE 

OF THE SOUTH BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER 

THE WAR OF SECESSION, WITH EXTRACTS 

FROM THE AUTHOR'S JOURNAL 

AND 

AN EPITOME OF THE NEW SOUTH 



/ 

By KATE GUMMING 



AUTHOR OF "HOSPITAL LIFE IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY 



BIRMIKGHAM : 
ROBERTS & SON 

1895 



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^-)902 



PRESS OF 

ROBERTS & SON 

BIRMINGHAM 







©er)icatioT^ 



TO THE 

RIGHT REV. HENRY NILES PIERCE, D. D., 

BISHOP OF ARKANSAS, 

WHO, WHILE RECTOR OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, 

MOBILE, ALABAMA, COMFORTED HIS SORROWING FLOCK 

AND RAISED THEIR MINDS TO A HOME OF PEACE 

WHEN AMID TRIBULATION AND 

DESOLATION, 

• 

AND TO HIS EXCELLENT WIFE, 

WHO BY HER ENERGY, INDUSTRY, AND GOODNESS OF 

HEART, SUPPLIED THE TEMPORAL WANTS OF 

MANY A SOLDIER'S WIDOW 

AND ORPHAN, 

THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED 
BY THE AUTHOR 



Birmingham, Alabama, 1892. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Preface ..--. -.7 

Intkoduction — New South - 9 

Chaptek I — Mobile ----------17 

II— Off to the Front ------- 36 

III— Corinth - . - - 41 

JV— The Battle of Corinth - 64 

V— Okolona .-_.---. - 65 
VI-Mobile --------- 73 

VII— Ringgold — Dal ton — Chattanooga - - - - 80 

VIII— Chattanooga— Mobile ------ lOl 

IX— Kingston — Cherokee Springs ----- II5 

X— Atlanta— Newnan -..-.. 132 

XI — Newnan - - - 151 

XII— Newnan— Mobile - - - - . . igg 

XIII— West Point — Americiis — Macon - - - - igo 

XIV— Mobile --------- 199 

XV— Griffin -------- - 209 

XVI— Newnan - - - 229 

XVII — West Point— Tuskegee— Montgomery - - - 240 
XVIII— Mobile ---------- 257 

Appendix — 

Sketch of Mrs. Ella King Newsom - - - - - 271 

Tables of Approximate Values of Gold and Currency, and 

Prices of Provisions - -- 276 

List of Alabama Prisoners Buried in Cypress Hill Ceme- 
tery, Long Island -------- 277 



PREFACE. 

SHORTLY after publishing my work, " Hospital Life," I 
sent a copy of the book to Mrs. Gen. Robert E. Lee. As 
soon as she perused it she wrote to me, saying : " I am thank- 
ful some one has kept a record of our trials." She also said 
she wished I had had the book published in the North, for she 
was certain that if the people there would read it they would 
have some idea of our suffering, and the facts so given would 
have a good tendency. It is with the same idea in view that 
I now offer this volume to the public. I have given our 
thoughts and feelings as they were at the time of our terrible 
struggle, feeling assured that no generous minded man or wo- 
man but will say they were natural under the circumstances. 
Being the victors, the Northern people can well afford to listen 
to our side of the story. 

While visiting in the North, although treated with the 
greatest kindness, many circumstances served to show that 
there was need of just such a work as " Gleanings from 
Southland." I have every reason to hope it will be the 
means of making the two sections better known to each other 
than they now are. 

I sincerely trust that the people of this great land of ours 
may be long united in spirit as well as in name, and hope, in 
the words of our beloved priest-poet. Father Ryan, that 

" The graves of the dead with the grass overgrown, 
May yet form the footstool of liberty's throne; 
And each single wreck in the war-path of might 
Shall yet be a rock in the temple of right." 



INTRODUCTION. 



THE NEW SOUTH. 



" A sacred burden is the life ye bear. 
Look on it, lift it up, bear it solemnly; 
Stand up and walk beneath it steadfastly. 
Fail not for sorrow, falter not for sin, 
But onward, upward, till the goal ye win." 

I HAVE no intention of entering into details as to tlie mar- 
velous resources of the South, for that has been done system- 
atically, and I may say truthfully, by abler pens than mine.* 
My desire is to show the thoughts and feeling of the people 
since remorseless war has been banished, I trust forever, from 
the land. I have no idea that a greater revolution in the so- 
cial customs of any people ever took place than did those of 
the people of the South after the war. The negro, suddenly 
enfranchised, with no idea of freedom, excepting that it would 
give him a life of idleness and pleasure, not having the re- 
motest idea of independence or how to make use of it; the 
once owners of these negroes, especially the men in the 
country, who had done little else after leaving college than 
enjoy themselves, were left almost helpless. In the cities men 
were unjustly thrust out of office, and they and their families 
left in want ; the whole country was overrun by unscrupulous 
men, calling themselves upholders of the Union, who robbed 
the whites, and systematically preyed upon the credulity of 
the blacks. Even the earth for some years after the war re- 
fused us sustenance, and in many districts gaunt famine 

»"The New South," by M. B. Hillyard and others. 

9 



10 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

stalked forth in his most hideous aspect. Car loads of pro- 
visions and large sums of money were sent from the more 
favored regions, or the distress would have been overwhelm- 
ing. 

With these and other troubles too numerous to mention, 
was it much wonder that for years apathy and despair filled 
all hearts ? But I trust that all of our trials as a nation have 
passed away forever. The South at present (1892) bids fair to 
be one of the most favored spots on this beautiful earth. 
Its semi-tropical and varied climate, producing all that is 
necessary for the wants of man, and its vast mineral products, 
must eventually make it a most desirable place. 

The various industries of the South that have sprung 
into existence since the war are truly marvelous. Birming- 
ham, Ala., where I have been residing for many years, well 
deserves its title of "Magic City," for it is truly magical the 
manner in which it is moving in every direction. It has fur- 
naces, rolling mills, electric cars, electric lights, fine church 
edifices, excellent public schools for both races, and jast finished 
one of the finest water works in the States ; magnificent pub- 
lic buildings ; lovely homes in the suburbs ; romantic moun- 
tain scenery; parks, in which are artificial lakes, embowered in 
lovely shrubbery and flora of all descriptions, making many 
of these resorts like fairy land ; dummies running to and 
from these places, making them easy of access. There are 
numerous other improvements, all where less than twenty 
years ago were cotton fields. There are other cities scattered 
all over the State, stopping at nothing where improvements 
can be made. 

The fact is, that the whole South is making vast strides 
in all that makes a people happy and prosperous. New 
railroads are being constructed to unite us with North, 
East and West, and the water facilities in every State are 



INTRODUCTION. 11 



being improved, emigration is encouraged in every possible 
way, and last, though by no means least, is the awaking to the 
importance of education in the rural districts — schools for the 
whites and negroes abound everywhere. 

The greatest change is in the people themselves, for I am 
certain that both men and women can vie with any people for 
energy and industry. God is indeed showering his blessings 
upon this sunny land, for which I trust we shall ever be grate- 
ful. The prophecy made in 1867 by one of our poets is near 
fulfillment: 

" Humbled today, but in the future see 
Thy star ascending, and again we hear 
Thy regal footsteps echoing along 
Thy palaces of pride; upon thy brow 
Its diadem regained; thy hand no more 
Weighed down by gyves and deep corroding chains; 
Wields its lost scepter o'er a sunny land, 
Sounding again with paeans to the free." 

The once slave owners, as a rule, say they had no idea 
what a responsibility the negroes were until they lost them ; so 
already the blessings of emancipation are being felt by the 
whites. Human nature is a strange anomaly anyway. I 
have known many of the descendants of those who fought to 
free the negro say he should be put back to slavery, being fit 
for nothing else. 

On the outskirts of the city of Birmingham, Ala., are sev- 
eral rows of whitewashed dwellings running parallel to an 
avenue and on each side of it. Mr. T. T. Hillman, president 
of the Alice Furnace Company, had them put up for the negro 
employees of the furnace, so they are called the Hillman 
Quarters. I have often walked on the avenue and past the 
houses without one feeling of repugnance towards the inmates. 

Several years ago while walking near these quarters I met 



12 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

an elegant looking gentleman and lady, who accosted me, 
wishing to know if I could tell them where they could procure 
a furnished room to rent. On telling them of one near, the 
gentleman wished to know if in going to the city he should 
have to pass these negro quarters. I answered in the affirma- 
tive; and shrugging his shoulders, with disgust depicted in 
his countenance, he said, " I could not do that." 

This gentleman and lady were from Pittsburg, Penn., and 
a most estimable couple they were. I afterwards gave them 
a room in my house, though I could not promise them immun- 
ity from passing negro houses, for they are everywhere. 
Their antipathy to the negro was amusing. The lady was re- 
fined, highly educated and had plenty of money, but did her 
own washing for fear her clothes would come in contact with 
the "darkies." 

This love for the " colored brother" is so beautiful in theory, 
but how few of the theorists can stand the practice. Why 
the "civil rights " and the "force bill" reformers have never 
invited the " brother in black " to colonize among them has 
always been one of the mysteries. But I must drop this sub- 
ject, for fear of saying something better left unsaid. 

The many kindly reunions of the Union and Confederate 
soldiers, which are constantly taking place in the South, go 
far to show that at least the "Blue and the Gray" have no de- 
sire to keep up a feeling of animosity towards each other. 
This feeling of amity in the two sections was vividly felt by 
me while visiting Cypress Hills Cemetery, East New Yoik. 
There I saw in the soldier's graveyard the graves of hun- 
dreds of Confederates, graves of men who had died in prison. 
The Federal and Confederate were placed alternately side by 
side. The keeper informed me that on Memorial Day the 
same flowers were strewn on all alike. It may comfort the 
heart of many a mother in the South to know that the graves 



INTRODUCTION. 13 



of their loved ones are receiving the honor due all brave sol- 
diers. The spot is a lovely one, and speaks of peace and rest 

to our dead.* 

" Life's fitful fever o'er, 
They sleep in peace.'' 

In reading " Gleanings from Southland," some may say 
it IS written in too partisan a spirit ; but in giving the feelings 
of the people of that epoch nothing else could be done. Certain- 
ly no one for a moment could think that the direful sacrifice 
made by our people, while contending for a separate nationality, 
was like a troubled dream or a hideous nightmare, never to be 
spoken or thought of again. If the South, as a matter of 
policy, were to ignore the past, I feel assured she would gain 
the contempt of those who so long and bravely opposed her. 
But such will not be the case, for the heroic past is too deeply 
engraved in our memories, with all that is great and noble, for 
one of its veterans or their descendants to have any such wish. 
We can stand sadly by the grave of our buried hopes, as we 
would by the graves of those near and dear to us, and speak 
lovingly of their many virtues without one thought of disre- 
spect to the living. Such I am certain is the spirit of our peo- 
ple, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande. 

I shall close this sketch by inserting an article taken 
from a Northern paper, written many years since, in condemna- 
tion of an officer who would not permit any honors paid to the 
remains of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston. I quote it to show 
that we appreciate each noble sentiment in our once foes, and 
alfeO in answer to a question asked me by a gentleman in New 
York City. He wished to know if the Confederate soldiers 
were not teaching their children that the cause for which they 
fought was wrong and unholy. 

I feel certain that, even though reconstructed as we are, 



•See appendix for list of Alabama soldiers buried tliere. 



14 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND, 

the sentiments expressed by this Northerner would be the an- 
swer to any such question, of every Southerner throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. 

The following is the extract mentioned above: 

" The spreading millions of Southern offspring will never 
admit that their fathers did aught that would bring the blush 
of shame to their cheeks. The names of the prominent actors 
in the rebellion will always be glorified by them. The cause 
that is lost will ever be held in their estimation as one wortby 
of the highest exertions and greatest sacrifices of a free and 
enlightened people. We are not accounting for or justifying 
facts, but simply stating them that they may be recognized. 
And that, in view of them, thoughtless men may ask them- 
selves whether it is the part of wisdom to l)e making the futile 
attempt to eradicate from the hearts of the Southern peoi>le 
what has come to be a part of their very nature, as the Gen- 
eral Grifi&ns in the army and in civil stations are doing. Such 
attempts serve to drive in rather than drive out the objection- 
able sentiments, and to perpetuate a feud that will make us 
forever two peoples. The South fought for a theory of gov- 
ernment ; we did nothing more." 

As this writer says, the South fought for a theory of gov- 
ernment, and such was the case. Lincoln and hundreds of 
prominent Republicans denied that the war was waged for 
the purpose of freeing the slaves, as many suppose was the 
case. 

Would it not be well for many people in the North to in- 
quire what that theory of government is before hurling the 
insulting epithet "rebel" at us? What so many eminent 
statesmen disagreed about and fought over so many years, we 



INTRODUCTION. 15 



lesser lights may surely be excused for upholding our views 
of the matter. 

"Rebellion! foul dishonoring word, 

Whose wrongful blight so oft has stained 
The holiest cause that tongue or sword 

Of mortal ever lost or gained. 
How many a spirit, born to bless, 

Hath sunk beneath that withering name; 
Whom but a day's, an hour's success. 

Had wafted to eternal fame." 



Gleanings from Southland. 



"The greatest friend of Truth is Time, her greatest enemy Prejudice, and her 
constant companion is Humility." 



CHAPTER I. 



MOBILE. 



Before the late war Mobile, Ala., was the second city in 
the Union for the exportation of cotton, and in consequence 
was the abode of much wealth and luxury. 

The numerous hands through which the cotton passed be- 
fore it was ready for transportation were the means of making 
money plentiful, and besides, the city was the winter home 
of many of the wealthy planters. 

This flush of money caused an easy and rather indolent 
manner of living, which was enjoyed by the Southerner with 
a zest scarcely understood by the more hardy people of the 
North. 

Real poverty was rare, and the rarest of all beings was a 
street beggar. If a case of want became known, it was 
speedily "ameliorated by the goodness and proverbial gener- 
osity of the citizens. 

A refinement of manner pervaded all classes, and a chiv- 
alrous spirit was shown towards woman which had a most 
elevating effect. The same deference was paid to old and 
young, rich and poor. 



18 • GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

Oh ! shade of the glorious past ! I trust that the chivah-y 
of the South has not passed away forever, like many others of 
its delightful customs. 

The Gulf City, as Mobile is called, is situated at the 
mouth of the Mobile river and at the head of a fine bay (the 
Mobile). It is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities 
in the States. 

No finer drive is to be found anywhere than the one on 
the shell road down the bay, where to the right are to be seen 
charming villas nestling among magnolia and oi-ange groves, 
and lovely foliage of every description ; to the left the broad 
expanse of the bay, with the soothing murmur of its waters 
and health laden breezes coming from the Gulf, making you 
feel like dreaming your life away upon its banks. In the dis- 
tance at all times could be seen the white sails of the ships of 
all nationalities riding upon the bosom of the bay, having 
brought merchandise and taking away "King Cotton " in ex- 
change ; and steamers plying between the city and the differ- 
ent watering places on the eastern shore of the bay. How 
delightful to listen to the numerous songsters, among them 
the king of all singers, the mocking bird, filling the air with 
melody. 

Nothing could be more delightful to a lover of the "briny 
deep" than a moonlight excursion, where music enhanced the 
beauty of the night, making you think of the "better land." 

The drive to Spring Hill, one of the healthiest spots in the 
States, the road being lined with elegant residences and em- 
bedded in shrubbery and exquisite flowers of every description. 

Government street, called by a Scotch writer the '' Prince's 
Walk" of America, is a charming promenade, and well de- 
serves its name. 

In the spring the city is one flower garden, for nowhere 
in the South do flowers grow more luxuriantly. 



MOBILE. 19 

Mobile at one time was subject to yellow fever epidemics, 
but the fact of there being no cases during the four years' 
blockade, was full evidence that it was brought there from 
other places, so now we have a quarantine which has acted as 
a preventive of that dire disease. 

When the presidential campaign of 1860 began, my home 
was in the Gulf City, and had been since my childhood. My 
father's family consisted of my mother, a young brother and 
sister, a widowed sister, her two children and myself. Like 
all Southern women, being perfectly satisfied with our rights, 
we thought it extremely unladylike to meddle with politics. I 
cannot tell why, but during that campaign we zealously en- 
tered into all concerning it. We knew about the split among 
the democrats, and tried to understand the platforms of the 
various candidates, and, although not allowed to vote, were 
ready at any time to advise the "lords of creation " on that all 
absorbing subject. 

In the parlor, on the promenade, at balls and parties, and 
indeed everywhere, the subject of conversation was politics. 
We read with avidity the political speeches made North and 
South, and commented unsparingly upon their merits. We 
would leave our most important work to attend a speech or 
procession. 

One of the candidates, Stephen A. Douglas, made a speech 
from the balcony of the court house, and as a matter of course 
we ladies were in attendance. We occupied seats on the bal- 
cony, and had a fine view of the audience. Government street, 
which is very wide, as far as the eye could reach was densely 
crowded with men, eagerly drinking in all the eloquent states- 
man had to tell them. The torchlights illuminating the many 
upturned faces had a weird and solemn effect. He spoke for 
hours and all listened with intense interest, as if the exigency 
of the situation demanded all the attention that could be be- 



20 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

stowed upon it. I could not but wonder at the great power 
of eloquence, when one man could hold such a vast concourse 
spell bound such a length of time. 

The whole scene reminded me of what I had read of the 
Roman Senators haranguing the multitudes from the forum. 
While listening we all felt that " he was the man to save the 
country," and for the time were ready to give him our votes. 

The next great speaker that came was the " Golden 
Mouthed " Yancey, called by some " The Fire Eater." I was 
unable to go and hear him, but shall never forget my amaze- 
ment when being informed, by one of my sisters who did go, 
that he wanted the Southern States to leave the Union. On 
expressing my astonishment she remarked that he had made 
it all very delightful, and that from his standpoint we would 
be much better separated. 

At that time few if any of our personal friends favored 
secession, not from any thoughts of its being wrong, for all 
conceded the right to leave the Union when it became inimical 
to our interests to remain in it, but almost every one dislikes 
the severing of old ties. 

At last one morning, while busy with our household 
duties, the booming of cannon was heard announcing that 
South Carolhia had severed her ties with the Federal govern- 
ment. It was not unexpected, and we all knew the signal. 
Our work was suspended for the time as boom after boom 
filled the air, sounding like the knell of some terrible calamity 
about to befall us. It must have been foreboding of the fear- 
ful fratricidal strife, that swept like a besom of destruction o'er 
our fair land so many sad and weary years. By night all of 
our depression was forgotten, and we were as busy as the 
others assisting in the rejoicing. The city was one blaze of 
light from the illuminations, scarcely a window in the whole 
city that was not lit. The noise from the fireworks and fire- 



21 



arms was deafening. Speeches were made, processions paraded 
the streets with banners flying and drums beating, and in fact 
everything was done to prove that Mobile, at least, approved 
of what South Carolina had done. 

One Southern State after another followed South Caro- 
lina, and ceased to cause comment. The climax was reached 
when the grand old mother of States, Virginia, after calm and 
due deliberation, joined the galaxy of Southern States. Who 
among us can ever forget when the cry " Virginia out ! Vir- 
ginia out ! " shouted by myraids of voices, rent the very air. 
All business was suspended, and young and old, rich and poor, 
gave themselves up for a grand carnival of rejoicing. 

We saw upon the closed shutters of Seth Roberts' drug 
store, written in large letters with chalk : " Virginia out,'nuff 
said." Many wept for joy, for all felt that no matter how much 
the Northern States wished to keep us, they would never be 
mad enough to try to coerce the South back when leagued 
with the State from which so many wise and eminent states- 
men had come. 

If our hearts fainted within us as the booming of cannon 
for the secession of South Carolina fell upon our ear, we were 
delirious with joy as boom after boom for " Virginia out " rent 
the air. 

At night none were too poor to illuminate, and the city 
was brilliant from one end to the other. At times the din 
from the fireworks and cannonading was fearful, and was 
what I supposed the sound caused by the din of battle. I 
think that scarcely anyone closed their eyes all night, for joy 
had banished the balmy restorer from all pillows. 

The forts within nearly all of the seceded States were 
seized by our troops. Two companies, one the Continentals, 
to which my brother belonged, were sent under the command 
of Captain Maury, to capture Fort Morgan, which is at the en- 



22 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

trance to Mobile Bay. They took it without striking a blow, 
and their prisoners, a lame man and a mule, were brought up 
in triumph to the city ; the man was made a hero of by being 
carried over the town for exhibition. The fort had been gar- 
risoned by a few United States soldiers, who, anticipating the 
capture, had gone on board of two small sloops lying near the 
fort, and had taken all they could with them. One of the offi- 
cers, Lieutenant Reese, had been a visitor at our house, and 
had been our escort at the speech making, parades and illumi- 
nations. We had freely given him our opinions of the North- 
ern government, never thinking for a moment that he was not 
one of us. Among other items we informed him that one of 
our men was equal to five Northerners, as we had principle on 
our side, and the men would fight in defence of their homes, 
while the men of the North had no such incentive. This 
axiom he never contradicted, and appeared to acquiesce in all 
we said. We never saw him after the capture, of the fort, and 
he doubtless returned North a much wiser man than when he 
came South, fully impressed with the wisdom of all of our 
views of his people. 

I paid a visit of several weeks on board of a large cotton 
ship, the Oconaster, commanded by Captain Hatfield, of Nova 
Scotia. The ship was anchored near Fort Morgan, and one 
day the captain took his wife, children and myself in a row 
boat to the fort. When nearing the wharf we were hailed and 
ordered to keep at a respectful distance, and a most impera- 
tive demand was made as to whom we were. The captain, 
fortunately, had put an old British flag on a seat for his wife 
and myself, and that had to be shown to prove that it was not 
the stars and stripes, and as we were hoping for aid from the 
British Lion, the sight of the old flag appeared to conciliate the 
officer on guard. After the captain informed the officer who 
I was, and that I would answer for the fealty of the others, we 
were nermitted to land. 



MOBILE. 23 

My brother's company was not there, but I met with 
many old friends in the company, the Cadets, then in charge. 
We were shown all over the fort, and then the officers treated 
us handsomely to wine and cake. We could not keep from 
laughing at the rueful faces made by John Soto and others, 
whose names I have forgotten, telling of their hard lot, for 
even then they were not sleeping upon beds of down, nor was 
their fare such as they would have gotten at Delmonico's ; but, 
poor fellows, no doubt many of them recalled these compara- 
tively halcyon days with longing while enduring the hardships 
of camp life. 

Captain H. and his wife were charmed with the visit, and 
no doubt recalled the incident many a time in a foreign land 
when reading of our real vKtr. 

The bay was filled with ships of all nationalities, and it 
was customary when a ship left to be saluted by the others in 
lowering their flags, a bidding farewell, as it were. While I 
was there several Northern ships left carrying the stars and 
stripes, and not the least notice was taken of them by any save 
their own people, for, though war had not been declared, they 
were thought to be in hostile waters. 

History has recorded the new Confederation which sprang 
into existence with Montgomery, Ala., for its capital, and Jef- 
ferson Davis, a famous statesman of the old regime, for presi- 
dent. I remember a speech made in Montgomery by the Hon. 
Leroy Walker, and how by many it was deplored. He urged 
the raising of an army as speedily as possible to capture 
Washington, but, as the South had no thought of invasion, but 
simply desired to be let go on her own way, no heed was paid 
to the advice, though some contended that Washington, being 
in the Southern States, really belonged to us. 

A martial spirit pervaded all ranks, and the energy and 
zeal displayed astonished even the heretofore indolent South- 



24 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 



erners themselves. All who had opposed secession, after 
their States went out, accepted the fiat as inevitable, and in 
many cases were more zealous than those who wore the blue 
rosette, the secession badge, and cried war to the knife. Mili- 
tary companies were formed and offered to the government 
with an alacrity that appeared marvelous. The order of the 
day was drilling, and indeed at night as well. Many a dark 
night we could hear the tramp, tramp, and the "right, left," 
though the warriors were invisible, we knew they were not 
far off. 

All this time war was in abeyance, and we were anxious 
enough as to what would be the issue. Buchanan, who was 
president when nearly all of the States seceded, did nothing ; 
and from his inaction we hoped for peace, and in fact, though 
military furore was raging, few of us expected war. Peace 
commissioners had been sent to Washington, and they had 
been flattered and cajoled into the belief that war was not 
dreamed of by the administration. They were told that the 
time had passed for coercion, as Buchanan was the one who 
should have acted in the matter. 

My mother, two sisters and a brother-in-law went to Eng- 
land on the ship Oconaster, and the very day they arrived in 
Liverpool news reached there of the fall of Fort Sumter. My 
mother never saw her home again until after the surrender. 
We were thankful she escaped the terrible ordeal through 
which we passed, but she suffered much from anxiety. 

After the fall of Fort Sumter, the war spirit of the North, 
and Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops to invade the South, ob- 
literated all hopes of an adjustment of the difficulties, except- 
ing through war. 

The tone of many of the Northern papers was appalling. 
Some advocated an immediate "On to Richmond," and urged 
Lincoln to devastate the South for daring to leave the "best 
government the world ever saw." 



MOBILE. 25 

All the States that were hesitating immediately joined us. 
Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland, did not act promptly 
enough, and the Federal authorities prevented their ever do- 
ing so. 

We were much rejoiced when many of the highest officers 
in the United States army resigned and joined us. Keport 
said that General Scott wavered, and for some time we ex- 
pected him also. A wag, writing from Washington, said that 
one of the most beautiful sights to behold was General Scott 
taking the oath. He took it before his morning bath, before 
breakfast, before dinner, and in public at least once a day, so 
that the very sight of his loyalty inspired confidence and 
made the people happy. 

The pibroch was sounded from the Potomac to the Rio 
Grande, from the Atlantic to the Gulf ; and from prairies, 
mountains, and glens, the summons was answered with an 
alacrity that dispelled all doubt as to the South's being a unit, 
notwithstanding her difference before the coercive measures 
were adopted by the North. 

Large plantations were left without a wliite man, and not 
the least fear was felt, though hundreds of negroes were on 
them. Whole regiments were fitted out by private subscrip- 
tions. Every woman that could hold a needle was busy 
making clothes, and providing in every way for the comfort 
of the troops. Thousands of sand-bags were made for the de- 
fense of Fort Morgan and other places. Concerts and the- 
atricals for the benefit of the troops were all the rage. Never 
did a people labor with more zeal and enthusiasm for what 
was deemed a holy and righteous cause. 

An actor named Duffield wrote several songs, which he 
sang most pathetically and heroically in the theatre. He 
afterwards went through the lines, and, we were told that he 
altered the same songs, and sang them with as much enthu- 



26 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

siasm to the Northerners as he had to us. One of them, to 
the tune of " God Save the Queen," I give below : 

God bless our Southern land, 
Guard our beloved band; 

God bless the South. 
Make her virtuous, famous and glorious. 
Spread thy shield over us; 

God bless the South. 

God of our sires arise, 
Scatter our enemies, 

Who mock thy truth. 
Confound their politics, frustrate their knavish tricks, 
In thee our faith v^e fix; 

God bless the South. 

In the fierce battle hour 
With thy Almighty povper 

Assist our youth. 
May they vpith victory crovpued, join in the choral round, 
With heart and voice resound ; 

God bless the South. 

At one theatrical performance the seceded States were 
represented by young ladies gaily attired, while Maryland, 
Missouri, and Kentucky, were draped in mourning, bowed 
down with grief, weeping and wringing their hands in despair 
at not being permitted to go with us. 

When such men as Bishop Polk cast aside the cassock to 
don the sword, could we doubt the holiness of our cause? 

One of the most touching appeals ever heard was made 
by Bishop Otey to Seward. He implored him by all that was 
sacred to let us have peace, and after picturing to him all the 
horrors of war, said : " If you wish for fame, such as has 
never been achieved by man before, use your great influence 
to stop this fearful strife." 

My father espoused the cause with all the fervor peculiar 



27 



to the sons of "Auld Scotia;" and called upon Scotchmen 
and the sons of Scotchmen to " rally roond our flag," which 
call was met with an immediate response. A company was 
formed called the Scotch Guards, with my brother-in-law, 
Gavin G. Watson, as captain. It was uniformed in grey, with 
tartan facings of red and black. 

Before going into camp, nearly every company went in a 
body to church the Sunday previous. The Scotch Guards 
went to the First Presbyterian, and devoutly listened to a 
sermon from the pastor, Dr. Burgett. He said the first thing 
they must do was to ask God's blessing on their undertaking, 
and all would be well. He related an anecdote of Queen Vic- 
toria, which I never forgot. It seems that when she was 
informed she was queen of Great Britain, she immediately 
turned to the bishop who gave her the news and requested 
him to kneel with her in prayer, and implore God to guide 
her in the great responsibilities now cast upon her. 

Oh ! but we were full of zeal and patriotism in those 
days ! We thought it an honor to fit up the camp of the 
Scotch Guards with the best our house could afford. 

These things I am recording may appear trivial to 
some, but the thoughts, feelings and actions of a people 
make the history of a nation. I have noted down nothing 
without a motive, knowing full well how the people of the 
South have been misrepresented in many ways, and, without 
vanity, I think 1 may hope that these pages of the inner life of 
that time may have a beneficial effect. What I have said 
of Mobile was but the history of every city in the Confederacy. 

The severest conflict was expected in Virginia, as the 
capture of the then Confederate capital, Richmond, was the 
aim of the North. One regiment after another left us for the 
seat of war, many of the soldiers going full of glee, still think- 
ing there would be no fighting, saying they were going to 



28 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

spend a nice summer in "Old Virginia" away from the heat 
of Mobile. Alas ! how little they knew what was before them, 
for few of these husbands, brothers and sons ever returned to 
gladden their homes with their presence. 

" Few, few will part where many meet, 
The grave shall be their winding sheet; 
And every turf beneath their feet 
Shall be a soldier's sepulchre." 

The ladies presented the companies and regiments with 
flags, and the usual ceremonies on such occasions were gone 
through with. As a matter of course they were not "to trail 
in the dust," and history has proved that the pledges in many 
cases heedlessly given were held sacred and kept, though the 
best blood of the land was shed in the keeping. 

One glorious, sunny Sabbath morning the Alabama State 
Artillery was presented with an elegant flag, and nearly the 
whole city turned out to witness the presentation. After that 
the company, with many others, were sent to Pensacola to 
keep the enemy in check. The troops remained there during 
the long hot summer of 1861, under the command of General 
Bragg. The heat was so intense that at several dress parades 
the men dropped down from exhaustion, and many of them 
envied those who' had been sent to Virginia. Many a box of 
"good things" found its way to our "poor boys," who we 
thought were enduring such terrible hardships. 

My aim now is to relate what we thought, said and did 
then, not what we feel now, since Time the healer has healed 
many of our wounds, and I trust and pray has driven all ani- 
mosity away from both sections. 

Well, to return to my story. I had a brother who was 
detained in New York City on business he could not well 
leave. I implored him to return home, saying I did not see 
how he could live with such people, and that I would rather 



29 



starve in the South than live in luxury in the North. But he 
refused, and said that no one in New York thought the vi^ar 
would last long, and soon all would be amicably settled. 

A young cousin, Edwin Lessel, from Nova Scotia, who 
had been but a short time in the States, joined the Scotch 
Guards. He said from a small boy he had wished to get a 
shot at the Yankees, and now was his opportunity. His 
father wrote from Nova Scotia applauding his resolution, and 
said : " Whatever you do, don't be shot in the back." 

Our joy was unbounded at our victory of Manassas, and 
how earnestly we all did pray that the North, seeing we were 
in earnest, would let us go, for that was all we wished. In- 
stead of this, their defeat appeared to make the Northern peo- 
ple more ferocious than ever. 

Some blamed Davis for not making the army push the 
victory on to Washington, but Davis did not wish to invade, 
and our people only wanted their own. The victory of Ma- 
nassas gave us a prestige over the whole world. My mother 
wrote from Aberdeen, Scotland, that the people there were 
fairly amazed, for they had believed the Northern reports 
about the army of the South being only a rabble. 

I trust it will not be out of place to make a few remarks 
upon a book, " Rose Mather/' written by Mrs. Holmes. The 
scene is laid in a New England town, and the time the com- 
mencement of the war. It opens with the women working 
and the men enlisting, evidently with as much zeal and enthu- 
siasm as we were doing at the same time in the South. What 
surprised me in the book was that all of this ardor and enthu- 
siasm was for the cause of Liberty. Was there ever a greater 
perversion of that sacred word, for every act of the Federals 
fully demonstrated the fact that subjugation of a free people 
was their sole aim. And the South from the first said she only 
wished to be let alone. This authoress in the same book 



30 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

describes the battle of Manassas, which, were it not for the 
dire scene of carnage depicted (which alas ! was but too true), 
would be simply laughable. 

The Northern troops are represented as a lot of poor, 
innocent lambs, enticed to their slaughter by myriads of vora- 
cious wolves, the Confederates, ready to devour these unso- 
phisticated lambs on the shortest notice. The very yell of 
these said wolves was so terrible that it paralyzed the hearts 
of the innocent lambs, making them all unfit to defend them- 
selves. This lady has given us the reason of the great stam- 
pede at Manassas, for which enlightenment we should all be 
most thankful. Not one Avord of pity does she have for the 
homes left desolate in the neighborhood of the battle by these 
liberty loving invaders, nor for the desolation and woe brought 
to thousands of once happy homes throughout the South by 
the killing of husbands, fathers and sons, who fought for home 
and their native land. 

" O ! Liberty, what crimes have not been done in thy 
name ? " 

When this class of literature is read by thousands who 
do not take the trouble to learn facts, it is not much wonder 
that the Northern people did, and many yet, feel bitter to- 
wards the South. 

When reading such veraciovs accounts where we had ten 
men to one Union soldier, I suppose the authors must have 
thought that our army was supplied by men from the gods, 
the same as the Greeks and Trojans were in the siege of Troy, 
for we were so blockaded and hemmed in on all sides that it 
would have been impossible to have gotten men from foreign 
countries, as the Federals did, even if we had had the money 
to pay them. But we did not have the money nor the way to 
recruit the army, so had no alternative than to fight the great 
odds which, the whole world knows, was brought against us. 



MOBILE. 31 

One Sunday morning our pastor, Rev. Mr. Pierce, startled 
us all by saying, after giving out his text (Psalm Ixxv: 5), 
"Cotton is King." Then pausing, said: "No, my friends, 
God is King," He earnestly warned us about putting our 
trust in anything earthly, and, after enumerating all of the 
evils that might befall us, said that brave and pure-minded as 
our leaders were, some of them might be tempted to prove 
recreant to their trust, as had happened in the time of the 
immortal Washington. I wondered how he could talk in this 
way, for I thought such a thing impossible, for we were bound 
to each other by the holiest of all ties — that of self-defence. 

Mr. Russell, of the London Times, paid us a visit, and he 
was escorted over to see all that was to be seen. He predicted 
our success, and said we would in time be the weathiest na- 
tion on this continent, and that it was no wonder the North 
was unwilling to let us go, as our natural resources were so 
much greater than theirs. 

How ready we were to believe all such flattery, for we 
were so sanguine of success ! We were certain Great Britain 
would recognize us for her great need of "King Cotton," and 
we needed her manufactured goods. Why should we not have 
wished for foreign aid, when the colonies had so much assist- 
ance from foreigners during the revolutionary war? 

There was much fighting in all of the border States, which 
was most distressing. We deeply sympathized with the peo- 
ple living in these localities, as they were between two armies. 

Mr. George Donaldson, a Scotch friend, paid us a visit. 
He had passed through Kentucky and Tennessee, and came 
near losing his life between the two sections. He had a pass 
from Lord Lyons, which saved him. The scenes he depicted 
of the sufferings were truly harrowing. Those having rela- 
tives in the Southern army had no mercy shown them by the 
Unionists. 



32 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

We had a long, dreary and anxious summer. The city 
was in a most defenceless state, and could easily have been 
captured, and no doubt would have been, had the fact been 
known to the enemy. Our people were determined not to give 
it up without a struggle, so we did not know how soon the 
war ships would pass Fort Morgan, and throw shells into our 
midst. Some buried their valuables, others packed them in 
trunks, expecting to have time to convey them off after the 
attack commenced. We had trunks that were never unpacked 
during the whole four years. We made strong, large pockets 
in which to put combs, brushes and other necessaries. Every- 
thing was arranged for sudden flight to the woods. In case of 
an attack, none of the women and children would have been 
permitted to remain in the city. The signal was to be the 
ringing of the town bell, and if it happened to give an extra 
clang, we were on the alert in a moment. 

The blockade kept away the yellow fever, which was one 
blessing for which we were thankful, but it deprived us of one 
essential — ice. The public pumps were then the fashionable 
places of resort. We never thought of taking an evening 
promenade without having our goblets with us, so as to im- 
bibe the nectar which flowed from the pumps, for it was a 
great improvement on the hydrant water. We were fast 
awakening to the distressing fact of our great dependence on 
the North for almost everything. 

Though few of our Mobile troops who had gone to Vir- 
ginia had been under tire, we were daily expecting to hear of 
their having conflicts with the enemy. We were hourly expect- 
ing to hear of fighting at Pensacola and also at Fort Morgan. 

The spirit of the saintly Bishop Cobbs winged its flight 
to the better land. Many thought he died of grief at his 
country's woe, and at the perils which surrounded his native 
State — Virginia. 



MOBILE. 33 

Every confldence was felt in our rulers. Davis and 
Stephens were well known in the old regime to be statesmen 
of unsullied fame. The cabinet officers would have been an 
honor to any nation. And the army could number in its ranks 
men of martial fame, many of whom the whole world has 
since delighted to honor. 

President Davis' proclamation for a day of fasting and 
prayer showed the Christian as well as the refined scholar. 
Dr. Pierce preached from the text : "Lead us not into temp- 
tation, but deliver us from evil." As our good pastor ex- 
pounded line upon line and precept upon precept of the Divine 
text, they fell upon chastened and humbled hearts. He told us 
that wronged though we were we must not hate, and unless we 
had the spirit of Christ we were none of his. He also said 
that the proclamation had been issued in no hackneyed sense, 
but, from the character of the president, had emanated from a 
true Christian spirit. The day was celebrated throughout 
the length and breadth of the land in an humble and devout 
manner. 

Amid all of our trials and anxieties my father and self 
were taken ill, and several months elapsed ere we recovered. 
No one but those who have passed through such an ordeal can 
realize its depressing effects. I never closed my eyes in sleep 
without thinking it might be the last time I would enjoy the 
comforts of a bed. We had heard of people having to fly to 
the woods for safety, and we did not know how soon such 
would be our fate. 

We had heard of the arrival of the ship Oconaster in Liv- 
erpool through the Journal of Commerce, but not a word from 
any of our folks, so our anxiety was extreme. We had our 
rays of sunshine, but many of them vanished in the darkness 
and gloom. My father fairly wept for joy when news came of 
the seizure of Slidell and Mason, our ministers to France and 



34 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

Great Britain, by the North, for he was sure Great Britain 
would never submit to such an insult, and war between the 
two nations was inevitable. But this delusion, like many others 
on which we had placed our hopes, vanished like the morning- 
dew before the rays of the rising sun, for, as we know, the 
United States acceded to all the demands of Great Britain and 
released the men. 

In the early part of 1862 my brother-in-law, Mr. McLeod, 
and our Scotch friend, Mr. Donaldson, ran the blockade. Mr. 
Donaldson's account will give some idea of the difficulties in- 
curred by blockade running: 

"Mr. McLeod and I shipped on board of a schooner, the 
Cuba, Dominick Irwin, master, loaded with a cargo of 127 
bales of cotton for Havana, Cuba. We sailed down the bay 
and anchored off Navy Cove, a few miles from Fort Morgan. 
We remained there two or three days waiting for a favorable 
wind and a dark night. The wish for the latter was to avoid 
being seen by two gunboats which lay anchored about three 
miles off, one upon each side of the channel leading out to the 
Gulf. 

" At last a favorable wind arising, and the night being 
dark and stormy, we hoisted one small boat into the davits, 
and arranged everything ship-shape for starting. Making a 
rough calculation of how long it would take to clear the 
enemy, we extinguished our lights, and the enemy having 
done the same, there was utter darkness over the surface of 
the sea. 

"Just about the time when we had calculated to pass be- 
tween the gunboats, a crash of breakage occurred, and that, 
too, at the very moment when we were to shape our course to 
the southeast. In such darkness, we could not understand 
the cause of the noise, but the first streak of daylight ex- 
plained the mystery. While altering our course the main- 



MOBILE. 35 

boom came round with great violence and carried' away one of 
the davits, to which our small boat was suspended, and it 
dropped into the sea, being damaged fatally. We had dragged 
it astern through all the dark night, and it had greatly re- 
tarded the progress of the schooner. The captain ordered it 
to be cut loose, so thus we parted with our only chance of 
escape in case of foundering. 

"On peering through the gray fog astern of us we saw 
Uncle Sam's two assistants quietly and comfortably reclining 
in their banks, at a distance of fully ten miles from us. Bid- 
ding our "uncle" good-bye, we opened every inch of canvas, 
and about sundown arrived at the entrance to Havana, and 
under the guns of Moro Castle, which warned us not to ap- 
proach. We could see the sentinels pacing along the battle- 
ments. As no vessel is permitted to enter the harbor before 
daylight, we kept cruising about until dawn. Just as we 
were entering the harbor the Federal battleship Cherokee 
came steaming out with flying colors. Passing her we 
hauled up the Confederate flag, and gave her a cheer which 
she did not return. 

"Mr. McLeod and 1 breakfasted at Delmonico's in Ha- 
vana, and after remaining there a few days, sailed for New 
York on the steamship Roanoke." 



CHAPTER 11. 

OFF TO THE FKONT. 

The year 1862 opened with disasters to tlie South. The 
tales of the sufferings of our troops, unused to hardships, 
were heartrending, and made us pray hourly that the terrible 
conflict would soon come to an end. 

The zeal and patriotism of the women were as great as 
ever. Societies of all kinds were formed for the benefit of the 
soldiers and their families who needed help. The wealthiest 
ladies in the city worked as hard as the poorest. All vied 
with each other as to who would do the most. 

The government contracts to clothe the soldiers gave 
work to those who needed it, and for the time being proved a 
great help. 

Blankets and comforts of all kinds were sent to the Mo- 
bile troops in Virginia, for as yet their sufferings were those 
incidental to camp life in a cold climate, which were pretty 
severe on men reared almost within the tropics. 

The troops were all recalled from Pensacola and sent 
North, we supposed to Kentucky, and my brother remained a 
few days with us ere taking his departure. 

One day, while assisted by a few friends, we were all busy 
getting his clothes ready. We could not keep from weeping, 
as we thought of the battles in which he would soon be a par- 
ticipant. Noticing us, he said : " What is the matter? I am 
perfectly delighted that I am to have a shot at the Yankees, 
and I have no more fear that I shall be hurt than I have of 
swallowing that wardrobe." This speech caused a hearty 
laugh, and for the time cheered us up. It was most singular 



OFF TO THE FRONT. 37 



that he never even received a scratch, though a participant in 
every battle fouglit by the Western army, and I was often told 
by others he was brave even to rashness. He left us, and hun- 
dreds of others, midst our tears and blessing, and sad ! sad ! 
were the hearts left behind. 

Illness prevented my going to church for several months, 
when one Sunday morning my folks came from service very 
much excited. The Rev. Mr. Miller, an old friend of ours, had 
made an address in the church, calling upon ladies to go to the 
front and nurse the sick and wounded. My father looked 
around the dinner table and said : "Well, no one can go from 
here." I answered "No," but from the depth of my heart 
added : " Oh ! how T would like to go." I assisted all I could 
those who were going, and procured from friends blankets, 
quilts and delicacies of all kinds for the troops. I was refused 
by none, as all were ready to give up everything for the bene- 
fit of the poor fellows. 

About forty ladies volunteered their services, and among 
them the authoress. Miss Augusta Evans. Mrs. Ogden, the 
widow of a major of the United States army, was to be the 
chaperon. 

Regiment after regiment left us for the scene of the con- 
flict, and many were the grief stricken hearts left behind. 
But there was not one of those sorrowing mothers, wives or 
sisters that did not assist in buckling on the armor of their 
loved ones, and wishing them godspeed, bade them go forth 
and battle for the right. 

The last regiment that we went to see otf was the Twen- 
ty-first Alabama. Many of the men we had known from boy- 
hood, had been schoolmates and been associated together at 
Sunday school and church. I resolved then and there that if 
Mr. Miller would take me, I would go with him and do my 
best. I had never been inside of a hospital, and was wholly 



38 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

ignorant of what I should be called upon to do, but I knew 
that what one woman had done another could. 

My father approved of my resolution, but I met with 
much opposition from my brothers-in-law. One said no sister 
of his should take such a step ; another that nursing soldiers 
was no work for a refined lady. One of them, whose sister 
and mother went with Miss Nightingale to the Crimea, told 
me I would be mistaken if I thought our position would be 
like theirs, for they went under the auspices of a powerful 
government, who gave them every assistance, while ours was 
too poor to give us any. All of this made me more deter- 
mined than ever. If our government was too poor to assist 
us, there was the more need of assisting it. And, as to the 
plea of its being no place for a refined lady, I wondered what 
Miss Nightingale and the hundreds of refined ladies of Great 
Britain, who went to the Crimea, would say to that ! 

All honor to the brave warriors of every clime, and espe- 
cially the common soldier, as he is called, who nobly stems the 
current of oppression ; he cannot be honored enough. But am I 
not excusable in drawing a parallel between our army and the 
one at the Crimea ? As a rule, the latter was composed of the 
standing armies of the respective countries who composed that 
army ; men who knew of little else than discipline and war, 
while, as a rule, ours was composed of men nurtured in the lap 
of luxury, leaving comfortable homes to endure the trials of 
camp life ; to be subject to a discipline which, in many in- 
stances, was galling in the extreme, and to war, with all of its 
attendant horrors. I knew the character of all of our relatives 
and friends who had enlisted, and I was well aware that nearly 
the entire Southern army was composed of men of the same 
stamp. 

My subsequent experience proved that none, excepting 
the most high-toned and refined women, had any business 



OFF TO THE FRONT. 39 



doing that most sacred of all duties — alleviating suffering. 
I said that if my brother was sick or wounded, and not 
properly cared for by any woman that might be near him, 
that I never could forgive her; and I could not expect any 
woman to do for him what I was unwilling to do for others. 
A cousin, who had been ill at Fort Morgan, said he thought 
the sight of a woman would have cured him. 

I was fitted out with every convenience that my friends 
thought necessary for the wounded. Mr. McLean gave me a 
beautiful spirit lamp for heating drinks for the patients at 
night. Every friend gave me something, thereby showing his 
or her appreciation of the work in which we were to be en- 
gaged. 

Well, I got all ready : a mattress, pillows, quilts, boxes 
full of eatables, and a large trunk. In fact, I had a car load 
of articles. I believe nearly all of the ladies had the same 
amount of luggage. 

" Ignorance is bliss," so says the proverb, and if true we 
had a superabundance of bliss, for our ignorance, in this re- 
spect, was lamentable, as we afterwards learned. 

The army had gone, we did not exactly know where, but 
we thought into Kentucky or Tennessee. We waited several 
weeks with our staffs in our hands, ready to take our de- 
paiture at a moment's warning. A young friend. Miss Booth, 
and myself were to be under the special care of Mrs. Ogden. 
Miss Evans declined going on account of ill health. 

One bright, beautiful Sunday morning in April, when 
nature was putting forth her glories, and adorned in her most 
lovely garb, the air being redolent with the perfume of the 
magnolia, cape jasmine and other delicious flowers, all around 
speaking of peace and happiness, rumors reached us that the 
conflict had begun. 

On that holy Sabbath, while the gospel of peace was being 



40 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

preached from every pulpit in the land, the invading hosts of the 
enemy had been met by our army, and the conflict was raging. 

At night, Mr. Miller rushed into all of the churches, an- 
nouncing to the congregations that the crisis had come, and 
telling them to send their supplies early in the morning, as 
we would all leave by the first train. 

Alas ! words are inadequate to portray the feelings of the 
people in nearly every home tbat night, for there were few 
who had not some loved one in the battle. As it took place 
quite a distance from telegraphic communication, all were in 
doubt as to tlie fate of their loved ones. Many remained all 
night at the depot waiting for the train to come in. As morn- 
ing dawned the train arrived, bringing but meagre reports, 
and the scene was heartrending. Fathers, mothers, wives, and 
sisters were there eagerly asking about their loved ones. A 
few had heard of the death of their relatives, but all was 
doubt and uncertainty. 

History has recorded the battle of Shiloh, one of the most 
desperate of the war, but at the time of which I am writing, 
we knew very little about it. As none of our family had been 
to church at night, we did not hear the news of the battle until 
the next morning, so were spared the anxidty that tortured 
many hearts. 

On being informed in the morning I hurriedly collected 
my baggage for departure, and on arriving at the train found 
Mr. Miller and the ladies, many of whom I had never seen be- 
fore. A vast number were there to see us off, among them 
the Revs. Dr. Pierce and Massey, and Alabama's new bishop, 
Wilmer. As each lady was being intrusted with messages by 
her friends to relatives in the army, and many being greatly 
excited, we were a noisy crowd. 

All social barriers were cast aside, and we were one 
family united in a sacred cause. 



CHAPTER III. 

CORINTH. 

( Copied from my Journal.) 

April 7, 1862.— Left Mobile by the Mobile & Ohio Rail- 
road for Corinth, with the Rev. Mr. Miller. 

A gentleman, Mr. Shates, has heard his son is among the 
killed, and is going to the front to bring back the remains of 
him who a short time since formed one of his family circle. 
May God give strength to the mother and sisters now mourn- 
ing the loss of their loved one. May they find consolation in 
the thought that he died a martyr's death, was offered up a 
sacrifice upon his country's altar, and that when we have 
gained our independence, he with the brave comrades who 
fought and fell with him, will ever live in the hearts of a 
grateful people. I cannot look at Mr. Shates without asking 
myself, how many of us may ere long be likewise mourners ? 
It is impossible to suppress these gloomy forebodings. 

At one of the stations, about midnight, a dispatch was re- 
ceived proiiibiting any one from going to Corinth without a 
special permit from headquarters. As military orders were 
peremptory, there was nothing for us to do but submit. 

April 8. — We arrived at Okolona, Miss., this morning, which 
place is sixty miles south of Corinth. It had been raining 
very hard, and all around had a most cheerless aspect, and 
when we were informed that there was not a hotel in the place, 
our prospects for anything like comfort, were gloomy indeed. 
We were about as wearied, harrassed, and sorrowful human 



42 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

beings as ever emerged from a train. But as " all the year is 
not December," so ere long our hearts were warmed and 
cheered by the intelligence that the citizens, on hearing of our 
mission, had sent their carriages to bear us to their homes. 

The people here can tell us little or nothing about the bat- 
tle, so we are not yet certain that we have been victorious. 

As we were all exhausted by anxiety, disappointment and 
loss of sleep, we did not go to the train which passed at 11 
a. m. Our kind hostess' two grand-daughters went, and the 
reports they brought back filled us with dismay : 

Captain Ketcham, of the Alabama State Artillery, my 
brother's company, was reported killed, and his whole com- 
mand either killed or captured. They also reported that the 
Twenty-first Alabama Regiment was cut to pieces. On hear- 
ing all of this I was never more wretched in my life. I could 
see nothing before me but my slaughtered brother, and the 
bleeding and mangled forms of his dying comrades ; and also 
the men of the gallant Twenty-first Alabama whom I had seen 
leave Mobile but a few weeks before, radiant with life and 
hope. 

The battle was fought at Shiloh, twelve miles from 
Corinth, and we had gained a victory at a terrible sacrifice. 
I tried to take comfort from the assurance that God was doing 
all for the best. Oh, if they would only let us go to alleviate 
the sufferings of the poor fellows, it would be some consola- 
tion ! It is raining in torrents. Nature weeping in anguish 
for the loss of so many of her gallant sons ! 

About midnight, hearing a train come in, I jumped up and 
awoke Miss Mary Wolfe. Hurriedly dressing ourselves, we 
took a servant and rushed down. We had not gone far when 
we met a number of ladies returning, who as anxious as we, 
had gone to the train. They had heard nothing, as it was but 
a car sent down for negroes to build fortifications. 



CORINTH. 43 



April 9. — I have been to the train, and had a true state- 
ment of our losses. Mr. John McGuire, of Mobile, was on the 
train. He is wounded. Captain Ketcham was slightly 
wounded, and one man, John Ashby, killed, and about eight 
wounded. I have letters for two of the Twenty-first Alabama 
Regiment, viz. : Charles Farrow, who is a prisoner, and John 
Ostella, who is now sleeping his last sleep. The train was 
filled with wounded, and all told fearful tales of the sufferings 
of our men who have nearly all been taken to Corinth. 

We have had a dreadful battle, fought on April 6 and 7. 
The first day our army drove the enemy back near the Ten- 
nessee river, within range of their gunboats. On the second 
day, the enemy being reinforced, we fell back near Corinth. 

Nearly every State in the Confederacy has to mourn the 
loss of some loved one, and the whole country has to weep for 
the setting of one of our brightest luminaries, the good and 
great Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, who was in command. It 
is said he was wounded while recklessly exposing himself to 
the enemy on the first day, but ere his noble spirit took its 
flight, he had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy driven back 
in dismay and confusion. May his soul rest in peace, along 
with the numbers of his brave comrades who so nobly tried to 
stem the unnatural torrent which is pouring down like an 
avalanche on our sunny land. 

" Oh! for the death of those 
Who for their country die; 
Sink on her bosom to repose, 
And triumph where they lie. 

"How beautiful in death 

The warrior's corse appears; 
Embalmed by fond affection's breath, 
And bathed in woman's tears. 



44 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

" Their loveliest native earth 
Enshrines the fallen brave; 
In the dear land that gave them birth 
They find their tranquil grave." 

April 10. — We were much rejoiced this morning wben in- 
formed we could go to the front, but my joy was somewhat 
dampened on finding that my friend, Miss Booth, was too ill 
to go. Knowing that it was my duty to remain with her I 
had to submit, though I must confess it was not done very 
graciously. I was kindly received by Miss Booth's hostess, 
Mrs. Henderson, a most charming lady, and I remained at her 
home until we left. 

Okolona is a very wealthy place, and food of all kinds ap- 
pears abundant. We have been treated with the most gener- 
ous hospitality, for which at all times the South is so prover- 
bial. Nearly all of the men are in the army, and the women 
are managing the plantations the same as their husbands did. 
The patriotism and enthusiasm of the women are unbounded. 
At first I was the guest of a wealthy widow, Mrs. Haugh- 
ton, whose family consisted of herself and one daughter. Miss 
Lucy. This lady gave us sweet potatoes for coffee, which was 
excellent, and she declared she intended to use no other as long 
as the war lasted. 

Mr. Clute, the Episcopal minister, was most indefatigable 
in his attentions to us. 

On April 11 Miss Booth and I arrived at Corinth, and oh ! 
for the pen of a Scott or a Hugo to portray what we witnessed 
on our entrance. But alas ! even the pen of these literati 
would fail to paint the horrors, discomforts, and harrowing 
scenes which met us, look which way we would. They have 
to be witnessed to be realized. 

The rain had been pouring for days, and as we neared the 
city we could realize the condition of an army after a bat- 



copaNTH. 45 



tie. Mud and slush were everywhere ! We saw wagons in 
the mud left hopelessly to their fate, and men on horseback 
struggling to extricate themselves from it. In the midst of 
all this slop and mud, as far as the eye could reach, the tents 
of our brave army could be seen through the trees, making a 
picture suggestive of anything but comfort. 

All the men we saw had a sad and wearied appearance, 
and it was not much wonder, for the inclement weather, added 
to the horrors of the battle and retreat, would produce a de- 
pressing effect on the most sanguine nature. 

The crowd of men at the depot was so great that we 
found it impossible to cross the platform to the hotel by our- 
selves. Mr. Miller not being present to receive us, a friend, 
Mr. Redwood, was our escort. We found Mr. Miller and the 
ladies at the Tishomingo Hotel, which, like every other one in 
the place, was taken for a hospital, the yellow flag flying from 
the top of each denoting its use. 

Before entering the wards Mrs. Ogden tried to prepare 
me for the scenes I would witness. But alas ! nothing that I 
had ever read or heard, gave me the faintest idea of the fearful 
scenes presented before me. 

Words are not in our vocabulary expressive enough to 
present to the mind the realities of that sad scene. I could 
not say that none of the glories of war were there, for the 
glory of uncomplaining endurance was vividly presented. 
Gray-haired men, men in the pride of manhood, boys in their 
teens, Confederates and Federals, mutilated in every imagina- 
ble way, lying on the floors just as they were taken from the 
battlefield, and so close together that it was almost impossi- 
ble to walk without stepping upon them. I could not com- 
mand my feelings enough to speak, for the tears would flow ; 
but thoughts crowded fast upon me. Oh ! if the authors of 
this cruel, unnatural war could but see what I beheld there, 



46 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

they would surely try to stay the conflict. What can be in 
the minds of the enemy now arrayed against us, who have 
never harmed them in any way, but simply claim our own? 
May God forgive them, for surely they know not what they do ! 

This was no time for recrimination, there was work to be 
done. Nothing can ever make me forget the gratitude of the 
sufferers for every little thing done for them- — a little water to 
drink or the bathing of their wounds was gratefully received. 

The Federal prisoners were receiving the same kind atten- 
tion as our own men, and they were side by side. Many poor 
fellows were just being brought in from the battlefield, the roads 
being so bad it was almost impossible to move them sooner. 

The first thing I did was to assist in giving the wounded, 
who were upstairs, their supper, which consisted of bread, bis- 
cuit and butter, tea and coffee without milk. As there were 
neither waiters nor plates, the men took their food in their 
hands, and were very grateful for it. I assisted a lady to give 
some Federal ofiicers, who were in a i-oom by themselves, their 
supper. They were all in good healtli, only two of them 
being wounded. Before going in I thought I would treat them 
with courtesy and say as little as possible, but when I found 
them joking and apparently inditterent to the woe they had 
assisted in bringing upon us, I could not resist being indig- 
nant. One of them remarked that he was from Iowa, and that 
was usually called out of the world. I told him that out of 
the world was where I wished him, and everyone like him, so 
they would trouble us no more. 

April 12. — I sat up all night and bathed the men's 
wounds, and gave them water to drink. Everyone in attend- 
ance is completely exhausted. Several doctors informed me 
that they had not closed their eyes since the battle. The sur- 
geons treat the wounded with the greatest kindness, and are 
nurses as well as doctors. 



COKINTH. 47 

The wounded are lying in their blankets, just as they were 
brought from the battlefield. The foul air from this mass of 
humanity at first made me faint and sick, but after awhile I 
recovered. The blood from the wounds and the water spilt 
in bathing them is what I have to walk through, but in 
trying to alleviate the sufferings of the poor fellows, that trial 
is lost sight of. 

One old man about sixty, who had lost a leg, groaned all 
night. He lived near Corinth, and came in town the morning 
of the battle to visit his two sons, who were in the army, and 
he could not resist the temptation of shouldering his musket 
and rushing into the fight. Poor man, how my heart bled for 
him ! He seemed to derive much comfort from praying to 
Him who alone could give consolation. 

Another, a very young man, wounded in the leg and in 
the lungs, had a most excruciating cough, and suffered awfully. 
One fine looking man had a severe wound in the shoulder, and 
every time I bathed it he thanked me, and was very grateful. 
He breathed his last this morning before breakfast. Men 
lying near him told me he never ceased praying until the last. 

I could fill whole pages with descriptions of the harrow- 
ing scenes before me. 

Mrs. Ogden and the other ladies are kept so busy that we 
have no time to speak to each other. 

Rev. Mr. Miller is doing much good in comforting, with 
spiritual advice, the suffering and dying. 

This morning several ladies and myself took some hot 
coffee, bread and meat to a large number of sick men, who 
were lying at the depot awaiting transportation. The man 
who had them in charge said they had eaten nothing for some 
days, and the eager manner in which they ate what we gave 
them, proved the truth of the assertion. 

I have been busily employed all day, and can scarcely 



48 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

tell what I have been doing. There is little or no order, and 
we all do pretty much whatever our hands find to do. 

I think our good, kind leader, father Miller, has found out 
that he made a mistake in bringing so many inexperienced 
nurses. But wonders were accomplished by these women, 
even with their inexperience. I suppose their nursing was a 
a talent born of the necessities of the hour. 

I had many a time wondered how I should feel, in going 
into a hospital, where there were a number of wounded men, 
but the moment I saw the sufferings of the poor fellows, and 
knew what I could do to better their condition, I completely lost 
ray identity, and several days passed ere I once thought of 
ray peculiar position. 

After reading ray " Three Years' Experience in Hospitals," 
I have had ladies say, " I know I never could have stood to see 
what you did." 

I usually ask thera what they would do if accidently 
thrown in the company of sick and wounded men, who needed 
their help. Would they allow these men to suffer on account 
of their feelings ? How preposterous to ask such a question ! 
We all know that feelings would be cast aside and engulfed 
in the gratification of relieving suffering. 

When I remember now the blessings I received at Corinth, 
for doing what seemed to me a very small matter, I feel that I 
would not exchange places with any mortal on earth. During 
the first few days spent there, I have many a time looked 
around that crowded hospital, for one lone spot where I could 
pour out to God, in secret, my heartfelt thanks for leading me 
where I could be of some service to stricken humanity. When 
our sympathies and compassion are aroused by suffering, we 
are very apt to forget our feelings. My three years' experience 
in hospitals taught me this. 

April 13. — Last night I enjoyed my first sleep since com- 



CORINTH. 49 



ing here. We all lay down, with our clothes on, on boxes 
or anything we could get to rest our weary limbs upon* 
Being worn out with fatigue, I never slept sounder in my life. 
I can since realize how a soldier, after a hard day's fighting or 
marching, can throw himself down upon the ground and 
sleep as soundly as if he were on a bed of down. 

People are constantly coming and going looking for rela- 
tives. Many leave with sad hearts, being unable to learn any- 
thing of their fate, while others are overjoyed to find their 
loved ones but slightly wounded, and being cared for by some 
good family in the neighborhood. 

There is no end to the tales of horror related about the 
battle. A friend, Mr. Johnston, told me that on going to a 
spring, after the first day's fight, to get some water for a 
wounded Federal, he was shocked to see three dead Federals, 
lying with their heads in the spring. They had doubtless 
dragged themselves there to slake their thirst, and breathed 
their last while thinking of their far-off homes. Tales such 
as these fill me with dismay. 

"O shame to men ! Devil with Devil damned 

Firm concord holds ; men only disagree 

Of creatures rational ; though under hope 

Of heavenly grace ; and God proclaiming peace, 

Yet live in hatred, enmity and strife 

Among themselves ; and levy cruel vrars, 

Wasting the earth, each other to destroy. 

As if (which might induce us to accord) 

Man has not hellish foes enow besides 

That day and night for his destruction wait." 

Dr. Little, of Alabama, told me today that he had left his 
plantation, on which there were a hundred negroes, in charge 
of his wife, and no white man upon it excepting the overseer. 
He had told the negroes if they wished to go they could do so, 
but he was certain not more than one or two would go. 



50 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

I conversed with a wounded prisoner named Nott, who 
is very talkative. He said he disliked Lincoln and abolition- 
ism as much as we do, and said he was fighting for nothing 
but to save the Union. All of the prisoners to whom I have 
spoken say the same thing. 

Quite a number of "bunks" arrived today, and the most 
severely wounded are being placed upon them. They will 
prove a great blessing, both to the patients and attendants, as 
the filth can be taken from the floors. 

One of the doctors requested me to go down stairs, and 
see if there was a Federal lying upon a bunk, and if so to 
have him taken off, as he had a badly wounded man needing 
one. A Mrs. Jioyal had been talking very bitterly iigainst the 
Federals, and to her I bent my steps for information. She 
said she knew where there was one, but nothing would make 
her tell me where he was. Her true woman's nature showed 
itself in spite of her dislike. Seeing an enemy wounded and 
helpless, is a different nnitter from seeing him in health and 
in power. The first helpless one 1 saw banished every feel- 
ing of enmity from me at once. 

Mrs. Foyal, being unwilling to tell me where to find the 
man I was to expell from the bunk, I went in search of him, 
and soon met with success. I went to all of the men on bunks 
and asked them where they were from, and one, quite a youth, 
with a childish face, said " I am from Illinois." On my asking 
him about his mother and why he had ever left her, tears 
filled his eyes and his lips quivered so he was unable to speak. 
I was deeply moved myself, and after speaking a few words of 
comfort, left him in possession of his bunk. Not for any 
thing would I have taken it from him. Poor child, there will 
be a day of reckoning for those who sent you on your unholy 
mission. 

The men all love to speak of their mothers, wives and 



CORINTH. 51 



sisters since being denied their company. "Home, sweet 
home," never was as dear to them as it is now. 

There is little or no system yet with any thing. We eat 
in the kitchen, which is not the nicest place in the world, but 
it matters little, as we have but time to take something in our 
hands, and eat standing. 

April 16. — Mi's. Ogden and the rest of the ladies are com- 
pletely worn out, as we have all had to sleep any place we 
could get, and as to making our toilets, that is out of the 
question. I have not undressed since I have been here. ISIy 
trunk and load of baggage have never been opened since I left 
Mobile. 

As many patients have been sent to Columbus, Miss., 
Mr. Miller, Mrs. Ogden, and nearly all of the ladies from 
Mobile, have gone there. I remained with Mrs. Glassburn, 
from Natchez, as I have become interested in my patients and 
do not like to leave them. And besides, I wish to be as near 
as possible to my brother. 

April 18. — Dr. Smith having been put in charge of the 
hospital, everything is in better order. 

Almost everyone is complaining. Mrs. Lyons, of Mobile, 
has had to leave on account of illness, and many others also. 
Mrs. L. has been indefatigable in her attentions to quite a 
number of wounded of both armies, who will sadly miss her 
kind nursing. She came to Corinth to nurse two sons, who 
were ill, but finding they were well cared for in another 
hospital, she came here where she was more needed. 

Subsequently this lady's two sons were killed in different 
battles, and their bodies left in the enemies' lines. She heroic- 
ally made her way through the lines and brought their bodies 
home. 

A Federal surgeon, named Young, is attending the 
prisoners. Dr. Lyle refused to do so, as be has just heard that 



52 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

his aged father is a prisoner, and that two of his brothers are 
killed. His feelings are so wrought up by these calamities, 
he is afraid he would not do the prisoners justice. He says 
if there were no other doctors to care for them, he would try 
and do his duty. 

Several of my patients, that I thought improving, have 
gone to their long homes. All is very trying, and I sometimes 
feel that it will be impossible to stand these trials long. 

The Sisters of Charity have charge of a hospital which I 
visited today. The building they are in is a very large, hand- 
some one, and I believe was a young ladies' college. It is 
situated quite a distance from the depot, so they have not the 
trials to which we are subject, viz : the constant coming and 
going of patients ; the Tishomingo being the receiving hospital, 
none but the severely wounded are left in it. At present the 
wounded who are brought in are from skirmishes, which are 
continually taking place between the two armies. They re- 
ceive immediate attention, and are sent elsewhere as soon as 
they are able to be moved. We do not like this, as many 
patients are carried away just as we begin to see that our 
nursing is of some benefit. 

April 19. — Quite a number of our old patients died today, 
and several of them have their homes in the enemy's lines, so 
we cannot let their families know of their fate. 

A Canadian named Smith, a member of the Sixth Tennes- 
see Volunteers, died. He was badly wounded at Shiloh, but I 
did not see hini until he was in the agonies of death. He 
could scarcely speak, but I managed to understand that he 
wished me to write to his sister, Mrs. H. Hartmain, Arovia, 
Canada West. 1 regretted not having seen him sooner, and 
was grieved to see him die, I shall not say among strangers, 
for none are who are fighting with us in our sacred cause. He 
lost his life in defence of liberty, and when maidens come to 



CORINTH. 53 



deck the graves of our patriots they will not forget one who 
sacrificed so much for us. 

I received a large box from Miss Lucy Haughton, filled 
with eggs, crackers, and delightful fresh butter, also a lot of 
pickles, all of which are relished by our patients. When the 
wounded are first brought into the hospital they are ravenous, 
but in a few days the wounds begin to tell upon their system 
and their appetites leave them. 

While visiting some of the prisoners, one of our surgeons 
asked a captain, who was quite intelligent and had been an 
editor of a newspaper in Cincinnati, how many men the Fed- 
erals lost at Shiloh. He answered, " About eight hundred." 
The doctor turned away without speaking, but I laughed and 
asked him if that was the case why they did not take Corinth, 
for they came there for that purpose. I do hope that our peo- 
ple will hold to the truth, let the consequences be what they 
may, remembering that " Where boasting ends true dignity 
begins." 

April 22, — All of the patients who are able to be moved 
are being sent off in anticipation of a battle. All are speaking 
of the expected battle with the utmost indifference. It is as- 
tonishing how soon we can become accustomed to even these 
horrors. The report is that Fremont with a large army is 
about to reinforce the enemy, so heavy fighting is expected. 

One of our chief surgeons told me that the chilly, wet 
weather we have had is the cause of much sickness in the 
array, which is in a most deplorable state. Were it not that 
the enemy are as bad off' as ourselves, they could annihilate 
us with ease. 

April 24. — Several of my patients who were wounded at 
Shiloh have had limbs amputated, and nearly all have died 
right after the operation. The doctors are despondent, and think 
our men will not be able to endure the hardships of camp life. 



54 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

Some think that the balls of the enemy are poisoned, but I 
cannot think them guilty of so great an outrage. One fact 
leads to this conclusion ; that is, that none of the prisoners 
have died, but we have had so very few compared with our 
own men. 

The amputating table for my ward is at the top of the 
stairs, and when I know an operation is to be performed, I 
keep as far off as possible, but today I had to pass just as 
they cut off the arm of a young man, Mr. Fuquet, and the 
sight I there beheld made me shudder and turn sick and faint. 
A stream of blood ran from the table into a tub, in which was 
the arm. The hand which but a short time before had grasped 
the musket, was hanging over the edge of the tub. 

The amputating room below stairs is in our passage to 
the kitchen, and many a time 1 have seen the blood flow in 
streams from under the door. I often wish I could become as 
callous as many appear to be, for there seems to be no end to 
these horrors. 

Many of my readers will doubtless shrink from these re- 
citals, and ask why they should be recorded. When so many 
hgnors are showered upon those who have " waded through 
slaughter to thrones," it is high time that something should be 
said about the terrible consequences of the "grand clash of 
arms," and about the heroes of the hospital. 



It is more than a quarter of a century since these events 
transpired, and they come up before me as vividly as they did 
then, and will not down at my bidding. I know but too well 
the truthfulness of what I write, and wish from my heart I 
were penning some romance ; but no, these were the stern 
realities that were transpiring daily and hourly in every hos- 
pital North and South. God grant that this great, united land 



CORINTH. 55 



may never pass such another four years, either in foreign or 
civil wars ! 



April 24. — Mr. Fuquet lived but a few hours after his 
arm was amputated. Dr. Hereford knows his family in New 
Orleans, and intends informing them of his death. 

Fighting is reported in Monterey. A wounded man has 
just been brought in. 

April 25. — A rainy, cheerless day, and well accords with 
news just received, viz : that New Orleans is in the hands of 
the enemy. What a severe trial this will be to the proud, 
patriotic people of that fair city. 

Sunday, April 27. — My brother and a friend called this 
morning, and we took a walk around Corinth, and enjoyed the 
beautiful spring day. 

We visited a hospital in charge of Dr. Capers. An Irish 
lady is matron, and is a woman of strong nerve. On the 
night following the battle of Shiloh, not being able to hear of 
her son, she was fearful he was among the slain, so she visited 
the battle-field and searched for his body. Not finding it, 
she soon heard he was still living. 

As we have no chaplain, we have no service ; but I keep the 
day as well as possible, in reading the Bible and other good 
books to the men. This they are much pleased to have me do, 
as all whom I have met have a great respect for religion. 

One of my patients named Love, of Texas, is badly 
wounded. He is one of nine brothers who were in the army, 
three of whom were killed in the battle of Manassas. 

We feel much more secure now, as Gen. Price with his 
army is here, and many more troops are continually coming 
in. As we are right by the depot, we have a good view of 
the troops as they arrive. 



66 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

April 29. — I had the honor today of an introduction to 
Gen. Sterling Price, the great Missourian. He had to shake 
hands with his left hand, as his right is disabled, from a 
wound received, I believe, at Elkhorn. I said to him, " Gen- 
eral, we feel quite safe now in Corinth, since the arrival of 
you and your brave army." His answer to me was a dignified 
bow, with a look as it he thought I was saying a great deal of 
nonsense; but indeed I meant every word I said, and felt quite 
proud of having the honor of shaking hands with one, whose 
deeds of valor have endeared him to all lovers of true patriot- 
ism. In the afternoon he visited the patients, many of whom 
had fought under him. They speak of him with the greatest 
veneration, as if he were a beloved father, and I am told he 
treats them as if they were his dear children. 

April 30. — Gen. Price rode ott" to camp to-day. Though 
in bad health, he could not be induced to remain longer with 
us. His abode is with his soldiers in camp, where he shares 
their joys and sorrows, and it is this that has so endeared him 
to them. He has a most commanding appearance, and when 
on horseback reminded me of a picture I had of Lord Raglan, 
in the same position. On showing the picture to several of 
the soldiers, they agreed with me in thinking the resemblance 
complete. 

Our hospital is now in perfect order, under the supervis- 
ion of Dr. Smith. We have negro cooks, so the food is much 
better prepared. Having dishes, knives and forks for the 
patients, they eat much more like civilized beings. The food 
is very good, but we have very little milk, which is a very nec- 
essary food for invalids. We get a little from the few remain- 
ing inhabitants of Corinth, but not near the amount required. 
We have a quantity of arrowroot, and I was told by several 
that it was useless to prepare it, as the men would not touch 
it. I tried another mode of preparing the article from the 



CORINTH. 57 

usual one, which proved a perfect success, as we now use gal- 
lons of it. I make it into a liquid, and while hot stir in sev- 
eral well beaten eggs, then season well with preserves (those 
slightly acid are the best), then let stand until cool. With 
wine instead of preserves it is excellent. It makes a pleasant 
and nourishing drink, will ease a cough, and is beneficial in 
cases of pneumonia. The men all drink it with a relish, but I 
do not enlighten them in regard to the nature of the mixture. 

Dr. Smith has told us to do what is necessary for the pris- 
oners, but say as little as possible to them. The captain from 
Cincinnati is still here, and one of his lieutenants is my patient, 
and is in the same room with the captain. Being provided 
with all the Southern papers, he was quite happy the other 
day as I entered the room, and said : "Your government has 
made a proposition to mine for an exchange of prisoners, 
which I do hope will be accepted, so I can see my home once 
more." I remarked that all the humane proposals came from 
our side, and I do hope this one will be accepted, so our poor 
fellows, who are enduring such hardships in Northern 
prisons, could get to their homes. 

We are still quite busy, as wounded men are constantly 
being brought in from skirmishes. The same sad ordeal wit- 
nessed, viz : amputations and deaths. 

The day is bright and beautiful, and we have just been 
witnessing the advent of a number of troops belonging to Gen- 
erals Price's and VanDorn's army. Poor fellows! they had 
the appearance of having endured many hardships, which is 
the case. I have been informed that they marched hundreds 
of miles, through frost and snow, sleet and rain, many of them 
without shoes, and nothing to eat but parched corn. The 
troops on the outside carried an old shattered flag of which 
they seemed quite proud. I wondered not a little that these 
war-worn veterans did not receive one cheer of welcome, and 



58 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

I had hard work to keep from giving them one myself, which 
they so richly deserved. On remarking about this apathy to Dr. 
Allen, who stood near, he said that we had become so used to 
these sights they had ceased to be of interest. 

May 2. — In company with some friends I took a ramble 
through Corinth, and had no idea that the country around was 
so picturesque. The surface is undulating, and the verdure 
clad hillocks and the forests arrayed in their summer attire 
had a pleasing and soothing effect. The " wind whispers " 
through the trees, calmed the senses like a sweet melody of 
other years. 

" There is music in all things ; if men had ears 

The earth is but an echo of the spheres." 

The whole wore an air of serenity and peacefulness, a 
vivid contrast to w^hat is passing in the hearts of our remorse- 
less foe. Alas! how man " marks the earth with ruin," and 
curses what God has made so glorious. 

A company of "dire artillery's clumsy car" passed us, 
not " tugged by sluggish oxen," but drawn by war-like horses. 
Nature appeared so calm in contrast to these war monsters 
that it was terrible to think that ere long they would be 
belching forth their iron hail, bringing death and destruction 
in their path. 

Our Bishop-General Folk passed us, accompanied by his 
staff. He appeared every inch a soldier, and is much beloved 
in camp. 

May 3. — A warm day. I hear heavy cannonading, and 
am quite nervous in consequence, and am compelled to stop 
writing some letters, as I cannot keep my thoughts from the 
fighting. 1 suppose my brother is in the midst of it. 

Seven o'clock p. m. — A number of wounded have just 
been brought in. There was no battle, but a skirmish at the 
entrenchments. 



59 



Sunday morning, May 4. — Have just seen a number of 
troops march out to battle. The sight was quite imposing, as 
column after column passed with their pennants fluttering in 
the breeze. The cavalry was splendid, and no knights of 
olden time rode their horses with loftier mien than did our 
brave warriors. I became quite enthusiastic, and enjoyed the 
scene, until the ambulances, with their white flags, passed in 
review. To me they cast a dark shadow over all. 

Evening. — Our troops are all returning. It is said that 
battle was offered to the foe, but was not accepted. 

We have just been looking at some of the troops en- 
camped upon a hill near us, and the sight is most deplorable. 
The day has turned off cold and rainy, and these poor fellows 
are without tents or covering of any kind. Our being unable 
to aid them makes the sight most miserable to us. 

I have spent the day reading and talking to the men, 
which they seem to enjoy, though they do not care to read for 
themselves. 

A friend, Mr. McLean, sent me several copies of the llhis- 
trated London JVeios, in which is a full account of the Crimean 
war. I made sure that they would be of interest ; but no, 
they cast them aside as unworthy of notice. I regret this, for 
if we do not know how others have suffered and fought for 
freedom, we shall not know how to emulate them. I believe 
with Longfellow, that : 

" Lives of great men all remind us. 
We can make our lives sublime." 

After hearing of a skirmish, and the wounded are being 
brought in, I hurriedly pass through the wards and scan the 
faces of the wounded, not knowing but my young brother 
may be one of them. 

A few evenings ago, after quite a number of wounded 
had been placed upon the bunks, on going around as usual, I 



60 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND, 

came across a man with closed eyes, whose appearance denoted 
great suffering, I arrested my footsteps, and stopped to gaze 
at him, when he opened his eyes and with a feeble voice said, 
" Is not this a cruel war ?" Seeing his feebleness, I requested 
him to keep quiet, and as I turned to leave, a gentleman ap- 
proached me and remarked, " I see you have been talking to 
my friend, Captain Smith. He is going to die, and we can ill 
spare such men, for he is one of our bravest and best." This 
gentleman informed me that Captain Smith was acting quar- 
termaster for the 25th Tennessee regiment, and he also acted 
as chaplain, being a Methodist minister. He had rushed into 
the midst of the skirmish, heedless of danger, and a ball had 
passed right through him in the region of the stomach. 
After this he carried a wounded comrade from the field. He 
was then placed upon a horse, which threw him, and after 
that he was carried several miles in a wagon, over very rough 
roads, and with all of this he had lost much blood. 

After bathing his hands and face and giving him a cup of 
tea, I asked one of the surgeons what he thought of his con- 
dition. He replied, " You can do anything you please for 
him, for he cannot possibly live more than twenty-four hours." 
Notwithstanding all he has gone through, he is improving. 

I have a patient named Sloan, a member of the Texas 
Rangers, who lost a leg in a skirmish. His father, a member 
of the same company, is with him and is very grateful to us 
for caring for his son. The poor little fellow is as cheerful as 
if he were at home playing with his brothers and sisters. 

May 7. — A very lovely day. It is again rumored that the 
long looked for battle is to come off soon. The troops are 
being marched in the direction of Heinzie, where it is suppos- 
ed the enemy are trying to outflank us, but we have nothing to 
fear as long as we have such vigilant generals as Bragg and 
Beaureguard to watch them. 



CORIMTH, 61 



Evening. — The moon is resplendent, and the view from 
ray window is lovely. Delightful strains of music fill the air, 
coming from the distant camps, carrying my thoughts back 
to more peaceful days. I fervently send up a prayer to Him 
who sitteth in the heavens to turn the hearts of our enemies 
so they may let us depart in peace. And I wonder how many 
of our brave men who are now quietly resting, by to-morrow's 
setting sun may be sleeping their last sleep. I think of the 
lone sentinel going his weary rounds, his thoughts on his 
home and loved ones. I pray that God may be with them all, 
so that living or dying, they may be His. 

May 9. — Heavy skirmishing today, but as yet no battle. 
The same sad scenes — wounded men constantly being brought 
in, prisoners as well as our own men. 

We were all introduced to General Hindman, who dined 
with us today. He is lame from a wound received at the bat- 
tle of Shiloh. He is a peculiar looking man, having long light 
hair floating over his shoulders. I believe it is Shakespeare 
who says what a man lacked in brains he had in hair. As the 
former is much needed at present among our leading men, I 
cannot but regret that outward indications in this instance are 
unfavorable. Perhaps it is only my prejudice against every- 
thing foppish and effeminate in men. General Hindman may 
be an exception to the rule, and I trust he is. 

May 10.— Scarcely an hour passes that wounded men are 
not brought in, and the hospital is again filled. I sat up all 
night to see that the nurses attended to their duties and to as- 
sist in bathing the men's wounds. One man, wounded in the 
arm, was quite cheerful this morning when I gave him his 
toddy, but was a corpse ere 1 could bring him his breakfast. 
When he was brought in yesterday the doctors wanted to 
amputate his arm, but this he would on no account permit ; 
the result was a hemoriiiage, and he bled to death. 



62 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

Not a day passes that we do not see hundreds of sick men 
lying on the platform at the depot awaiting transportation. 
We know many times that they are really in want, but Dr. 
Smith, though one of the kindest hearted men in the world, 
has prohibited us from taking them any food, as it is strictly 
against orders, and besides he has not the food to spare. The 
railroads are much blamed for the suffering m not transport- 
ing them quicker. 

Well, day after day passed, with plenty of skirmishing but 
no real battle. The sickness in both armies increasing, we 
supposed was the reason of no fighting. At one time nearly 
all of our doctors and nurses were ill, and many of the ladies 
besides. A move of some kind seemed indispensable, or Cor- 
inth would prove a very graveyard for us all. 

The enemy were so close that, I was told, a shell from 
their guns could easily have reached us. Not a very pleasing 
prospect. 

For some time a Presbyterian minister, a prisoner, ate at 
our table, and was rude enough to make sneering remarks 
about our people. Dr. Smith advised us not to mind him, 
and to say as little as possible. It was a difficult matter, as 
nearly every one at the table had suffered some personal 
wrong from the enemy. 

Our druggist. Dr. Sizemore, had heard of a young brother 
breathing his last in a Northern prison, and of the ill treat- 
ment of the chaplain of his regiment, an inoffensive old man 
of seventy. This venerable minister of the Gospel had been 
treated as a felon, and not as a prisoner of war. Dr. Size- 
more, knowing all of these things, had to endure this man's 
presence, and see him treated like one of our best friends. 
One day he said he did not think the South was united. I 
told him if he would ride through Mississippi alone I thought 
he would change his mind. 



CORINTH. 63 

Sunday, May 25. — A bright sunny day, but cold enough 
for fires. 

Last night I saw the ubiquitous chief, John Morgan, who 
is colonel of a Kentucky regiment, and one of the bravest and 
most daring of soldiers. It was amusing to see him followed 
by a crowd of admiring men. 

On the 27th we left Corinth, but were unable to tell what 
the army were going to do. I went to Okolona to await its 
movements. 

We left two of the prisoners who were wounded at 
Shiloh. It was a pitiful sight to see these two boys, aged 17 
and 18 respectively, lying side by side dying among strangers, 
and the sight caused me to shed the bitterest tears that fell 
from my eyes. They forcibly reminded me of the many thou- 
sands of our brave men who were languishing in Northern 
prisons. If they receive anything like the kind treatment we 
have given these men, I shall be satisfied. They are both re- 
ligious, and though very sad, are resigned to their fate. The 
doctors would have had them removed, but when we left they 
said they could not live any time. 

We had seen many sad and harrowing sights in Corinth, 
still had much for which to feel grateful, as we fully realized 
" the blessedness of doing good." 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE BATTLE OF CORINTH. 



After we left Corinth the enemy took possession, and 
fortified every part of it. On October 2, 1862, General Van 
Dorn, assisted by General Price, made an attack on the place, 
and were repulsed with great loss. I visited the town in 1 866, 
and a lady, who was living there at the time of the battle, 
showed me one spot in which thirty-five Confederates were 
buried, "unknelled and uncoflined." Several Union officers 
were boarding with her just before the battle, and, I think, 
they put her and her children in a well for safety. 

After this the enemy left the town, and before doing so 
burnt every church, school house, and every building of any 
public capacity. Every vestige of the Tishomingo Hotel, 
where we had witnessed so many horrors, was destroyed. At 
the time I speak of, a fine new hotel stood in its place. 

After the enemy left Corinth, as they destroyed all of the 
railroads leading into town, the destitution was very great. 
This same lady, whose name I think is Evans, told me there 
was downright starvation for a long time. Many families, she 
among the others, were thankful to get enough corn meal to 
keep them from dying. 



64 



CHAPTER V. 



OKOLOXA. 



On arriving at Okolona, May 27, we found the patriotic 
little town filled with the sick and wounded, who had been 
sent from Corinth and other places. The people were doing 
all in their power to relieve the wants of those around them. 
Besides the soldiers, there were also many refugees. 

In a few days we learned that Corinth was really evacuated, 
which was considered a great master stroke of Generals 
Bragg and Beauregard. The enemy had been digging en- 
trenchments for months, spending millions of dollars, and 
losing thousands of lives in trying to take the place. The 
evacuation was done so quietly, that the last man was out 
before the enemy was aware of the fact. 

There was little left for the foe to exult over, as the 
water was bad and the heat so extreme, that much sickness 
must have been the result. I sometimes wonder how many 
people know what a " masterly retreat " means. I did not, 
until I witnessed some of the consequences of this one. 

In making a retreat, the principal object is to deceive the 
enemy. Many of the sick were not removed from Corinth 
until the whole army was about to leave. This was done as a 
blind, but was the cause of much suffering. I can scarcely 
realize now, all the distress caused by this " masterly retreat.'' 
As everything was done in a hurry, the distress was un- 
avoidable, so we were told. I saw dozens of men come into 
Okolona looking more like spectres than living men; many of 

65 



66 GLEANINGS PROM SOUTHLAND. 

them told us they had eaten nothing for four days, and from 
their appearance we could not doubt them*. These men ' in- 
formed us that many of their comrades had died on the road- 
side, no eye to see them, save the all-seeing eye of Him who 
never sleepeth. 

" By fairy hands their knell is rung, 
By forms unseen their dirge is sung." 

At a small station called Booneville, below Corinth, were 
a number of cars filled with wounded, and a band of Federal 
cavalry captured the cars and all on them, and we were told 
that they burned the sick and wounded in the cars. But 
later we learned that this horror was without foundation. I 
saw several men who were there, and they said that ample 
time was given to get all the helpless out before the cars were 
destroyed. Our cavalry came up in time to drive off the 
enemy, so no prisoners were taken. 

As Rev. Mr. Miller, Mrs. Ogden and several of the Mobile 
ladies were at a place above Booneville, I was most anxious 
for their safety ; so after awhile they arrived at Okolona in a 
car, where they had been for several days with scarcely any 
thing to eat. Some friends sent them their breakfast, as they 
did not leave the car. It appeared to me that I never saw so 
many cars in my life as were at the depot the morning Mrs. 
Ogden and the ladies came. 

In trying to find my friends, I had to pass all of the 
others, and they were crowded with sufl:"ering humanity. The 
platforms were filled with the dead and dying, so that you 
could scarcely walk without stepping upon them. At one 
time I came across a group of officers having their breakfast 
cooked, and I stopped and asked them what was the cause of 
all this distress. They said in the hurry of the retreat they 
could not do better. I said I thought they could, and that the 



OKOLONA. 67 



doctors were to blame. Perhaps they were doctors, and I did 
not care if they were. 

At every step I took I came across the same sad scenes : 
men lying all over the ground, many of them rolled in 
blankets, and could scarcely be distinguished from bundles of 
rags. My heart sickened at all I saw. 

I was the guest of Judge Thornton, and the first Sunday 
I spent in Okolona I went to church, and for which act my 
conscience will trouble me as long as I live. Instead of going, 
Mrs. Thornton sent her two boys on horseback to all of the 
country people, telling them to send in cooked food, and she then 
went to work herself and cooked all she could and carried it 
down to the train and fed the men. I could not but think I 
ought to have helped her instead of attending service. She 
was up until 12 o'clock at night cooking for the starving 
men who came begging for something to eat. For a week or 
more the men would walk into the house and sit down to the 
table without being asked. 

One evening the cook put her pail down in which was the 
night's milk, and as she turned around to shut the gate, a 
soldier snatched it up and carried it off, so we were minus 
milk for supper. Mrs. Thornton said she knew he needed the 
milk more than we did, and if he would bring back the bucket 
she would not mind it. In the morning it was returned. 
Such incidents as this were quite common, and was not called 
stealing, but pressing. 

One great trouble was the scarcity of water. Everyone 
had a cistern, but as we had had no rain for some time, many 
were dry. The soldiers thought it hard that they could not 
get enough of water, but it is a poorly watered section of 
country, and there appear to be no natural springs, such as 
abound in Alabama. 

There was the same trouble about water in Corinth, and 



68 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

I have been told that many a time the horses would not drink 
what our men had to. The enemy did not suffer so much, as 
they were near the Tennessee river. 

Shortly after going to Okolona I heard that John Morgan 
was to pass on the cars, and, though not feeling well, I could 
not resist the temptation of seeing so great a lion. I was in- 
troduced to him by a friend, and, as the train stopped quite a 
while at the depot, had a short conversation with this great 
chieftain. 

I told him I regretted going home without seeing Ken- 
tucky, as I had fully expected to visit Cincinnati ere my re- 
turn. He spoke in a most hopeful strain, and said the road 
there would soon be open to all Southerners. I told him I 
hoped to hear much of the good he would do the cause, and he 
said he hoped to hear of himself twenty years from then. I 
said if prayers would save him I knew he would be saved, as 
daily they were sent up for him, along with those of our other 
brave defenders. I paid him several well deserved compli- 
ments, which caused him to blush like a school girl. I thought 
him one of the finest looking men I ever saw. He had a most 
expressive countenance, and on being led to relate some of his 
exploits his eyes fairly glowed with enthusiasm, and at times 
with merriment. He told us about capturing a train of cars 
in Tennessee, and said : " The ladies on the train were as 
much alarmed as if I had meant to eat them." He facetiously 
remarked : " You know I would not do that." 

While at Corinth he, in disguise, had called upon General 
Buell, and in the course of conversation with General Buell he 
informed him that John Morgan was in Corinth. General 
Buell answered that he knew better, and that he was in Ken- 
tucky. 

Though perfectly free and affable in his manner, he was 
in every respect the dignified Southern gentleman ; and from 



OKOLONA, 69 



what we knew of him he was a true representative of the 
Southern soldier — brave, chivalric and magnanimous, would 
scorn to strike a fallen foe or wreak vengeance upon the weak 
and helpless. His men fairly adored him, and it was not much 
wonder, as from the lowest to the highest they were treated 
by him as if they were brothers. He was in a box car, which 
was surrounded by his admirers, and when the train left they 
gave him three rousing cheers, and, much as he was used to 
homage, he looked abashed and again blushed. 

How hopeful he and all of us were in those days, and 
what a blessing fate hides the future from our view. Had a 
wizard appeared at that moment and predicted the insults and 
indignities which were to be heaped upon this whole-souled 
patriot, and told us of the ignominy which was cast upon his 
lifeless body, would we not have told him " to preach to the 
coward ? " and said : 

" Draw, dotard, around thy old wavering sight 
This mantle, to cover the phantoms of fright." 

For never could we have thought such a fate possible to 
one, who would have scorned to have treated the meanest of 
the enemy as he was treated. I was told by one of his offi- 
cers, Captain Cloud, that when the men heard of their general's 
death they wept like children. 

"A child will weep at bramble's smart, 
A maid to see her sparrow part, 
A strippling for a woman's heart; 
But woe awaits a country when 
She sees the tears of bearded men." 

Not even the noble Douglass himself, had the hearts of 
his countrymen more than had this dauntless chief. 

As the army was encamped a short distance from 
us, Okolona was the headquarters of much of the army sup- 
plies. Col. Williams, quartermaster for Price's army, and 



70 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

two young men assistants, boarded at Judge Thornton's. 
They had a small room outside in the yard, for their stores. 

One of the young men being an Episcopalian, invited me 
to go with him to church, as Mr. Clute was to hold service in 
the open air. I recollected while on the way, that I was un- 
acquainted with the name of my escort, so asked him what it 
was. He laughed so heartily, that he could scarcely tell me. 
Certainly these were strange times, for we never thought of 
requiring an introduction to a soldier, having perfect confi- 
dence in them. To be in our army was a passport, as the 
men were all gentlemen ; at least I found them so. 

The one I was then walking with was not an exception. 
His name was Curtis, and he was a captain in Price's Missouri 
State Guard at the time it was captured. He then was on 
Price's staff. 

Mr. Clute was glad to meet me once more, and enquired 
after Mrs. Ogden and the other ladies. The service was held 
in quite a romantic spot, shaded by a large oak tree. The 
church, like every other in the place, was taken for a hospital. 

Judge Thornton's home had every corner filled with sick 
and wounded, and Mrs. Thornton was most attentive to them. 
As soon as they were able to be moved, people came in from 
their plantations and took them to their homes, and the 
change proved of great benefit. As soon as one took his de- 
parture, another was brought in to fill his place. Nearly 
every one in the town did the same. 

There were many hospitals in Okolona, and one I visited 
was under the special charge of the ladies. They cooked and 
prepared the delicacies and all at their own expense. It did 
me good to see the quantities of milk and nice butter. 

Mrs. Thornton and her niece, a charming young lady, 
Miss G., and I visited some wounded and sick men in the 
tents. They were all lying on the ground, some without a 



OKOLONA. 71 

mattress. They were cheerful and contented, with the ex- 
ception of a colonel, who grumbled at everyone and every- 
thing. This was so unusual that we asked his nurse, Mr. 
Crutchfield, the cause. He laughed and said he was an old 
bachelor, who was quite ill, and, having none of the soothing 
influences of home, on which to think, he was in consequence, 
cross and peevish. All the men we saw were from Missouri 
and Arkansas. 

Miss G. and myself took a horseback ride, accompanied 
by Captain Curtis, our Missouri friend, and I had an opportu- 
nity of seeing a little of the fine prairie country, which is 
said to be one of the richest portions of Mississippi. The im- 
mense fields of wheat and corn we saw, went to prove 
that the enemy would have a difficult matter in starving us 
into submission, as they said they would. 

The Captain is a fine looking man, and, as a matter of 
course, is fully aware of the fact, as all good-looking men are. 
He had told Judge Thornton that he was a married man, and 
as his manner did not indicate that fact, we were certain he 
was saying it for a joke. We concluded to take him at his 
word and treat him as a married man. We said what we 
pleased before him, saying we did not mind him, as he was an 
"old married man." The tables were completely turned, and 
nothing he could say to the contrary, would make us change 
our minds. It worried him not a little to think he should be 
so ignominiously laid on the shelf. 

At this time each one was discussing the merits of our 
respective commanders, Bragg and Beauregard. As the latter 
had been one of my idols, I upheld him, and did not like the 
idea of having my idol shattered, for the tide was running in 
favor of Bragg. Many said if he had had his way at Shiloh 
we would have gained a complete victory. History and time 
have settled this matter, as it has others. 



72 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

There were numerous tales told about Bragg's cruelty, 
and if we had believed one-half we heard, would have thought 
him a monster. One of the stories told was that on the retreat 
from Corinth he had a man shot for killing some one's pig. 

The truth was, that orders Avere read to every regiment, 
informing them that they must on no account fire off their 
muskets while on the retreat, and telling them of the penalty 
of a disobedience of these orders. Some of the men disobeyed 
them and accidentally wounded their comrades. The man 
who was shot for killing the pig, also killed a negro, and be- 
sides was lawfully tried by a court-martial. So much for 
army tales. Long before the war ended I learned to take all 
I heard at a discount. 

During this month (June) there were many battles near 
Richmond, the Confederate capital, and in Okolona there were 
numbers of anxious hearts, as nearly all had relatives there. 
About the middle of the month news came that Judge Thorn- 
ton's son was badly wounded, and his mother bore the tidings 
with true Christian fortitude. A few days afterwards word 
came that he would be up on the train, so his cousin and my- 
self, accompanied by the Judge, went to meet him. When a 
short distance from home we were stopped by a guard and 
told that we ladies could pass, but not Judge Thornton. We 
were in a dilemma, for we could not go on without him ; but 
the guard settled nuitters by telling the Judge to go around a 
tree that was near, as he (the guard) had no jurisdiction over 
anything but the road. The young man was not on the train, 
but came home a long time afterward and died of his wound. 

Mr. John Fowler, of Mobile, was in Okolona nursing his 
brother, Captain Fowler, of the Twenty-fourth Alabama regi- 
ment. I left for home in the company of these gentlemen. I 
regretted leaving many of the patients at Mrs. Thornton's, as 
we had been so long together they were like relatives. 



CHAPTER VI. 

MOBILE. 

On my return home the cars were so much crowded with 
sick and wounded convalescents that we found it ahnost im- 
possible to obtain even standing room. I stood a short time 
outside on the platform, when a soldier inside gallantly in- 
sisted on my taking his seat. I did not relish the change, 
though fully appreciating the kindness, for I was almost suf- 
foca.ted from the closeness of the atmosphere, caused from the 
excessive heat and so many sick men crowded together. 

General Beauregard and staff were on the train, and had 
a baggage car and the ladies' car to themselves. This monopoly 
of so much room, by those in command, caused not a little mur- 
muring, and it was not much wonder. The general was in bad 
health, but his staff oflBcers looked well enough; and I, like 
many others, could not see why they should have so much 
spare room when the sick and wounded, had to l)e so crowded, 
many of them lying on the floor. During the whole war I 
never spent a more uncomfortable time, as many of the men 
groaned all night, and I could do little or nothing to alleviate 
the sufferings of the poor fellows. To add to the distress 
water was scarce. 

I caught a glimpse af General Beauregard several times, 
and was not a little surprised at the boyish appearance of the 
hero of Fort Sumter and Manassas. I expected to find some- 
thing of the " venerable " in the man who had distinguished 
himself in Mexico and in our own war by his daring and 

5 73 



74 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

bravery. I also expected to see more of the recklessness and 
dash peculiar to the Louisiana soldier. I thought his counte- 
nance wore a sad and thoughtful expression, and I have no 
doubt he was feeling the instability of that hydra-headed 
monster, the public, who but a short while before had almost 
worshiped him, but then were ready to cast him aside for 
some one else. He had but to think of the many hundreds of 
great men who had shared a like fate. Human nature appears 
to be the same in all ages. History has done justice to his mili- 
tary genius, and I shall but add that the South had no truer 
patriot than General Beauregard. 

There were several Missourians on the train, who left 
nothing undone to make matters as pleasant as possible to me, 
and I was most thankful to them for their kindness. I listened 
with the greatest interest to them relating their war exploits. 
Poor fellows, I felt sorry for them being so far from their 
homes and State. 

We came about 250 miles, and on nearly the whole route 
we saw immense fields of corn and little or no cotton. 

On arriving in Mobile I was much paintid to hear of the 
death of many dear friends in the battles around Eichmond. 
Though our cause was bright, as every army brought by the 
enemy had been repulsed, we could scarcely rejoice when 
thinking of the woe brought to so many households. The im- 
mortal Jackson, who had so nobly won the sobriquet of 
" Stonewall," was spreading dismay upon the enemy. For 
weeks fighting had been going on around Richmond, which 
terminated in the six days' battles, the last being Malvern 
Hill. The victories won by the South over such well equipped 
armies have few parallels in history, and ought to have con- 
vinced the whole North that the South was fighting for all 
that is dear to man. Much of the fighting was done near the 
Chickahominy river, and the sufferings of both armies brought 



75 



forth the following touching lines from my mother, then an 
exile from her home : 

" O thy soft rolling flood, Cliickahominy river, 
In thy flowing disturbeth my innermost soul. 

All unlike is thy gliding so calm, to the horrors 
Of carnage and bloodshed that round thee did roll. 

If thy tale could be told, Chickahominy river. 

Of the heart-rending pangs of the young and the brave. 

Of the husband and father, whose soul in departing 
Wrung with agony, prayed for a home, in the grave. 

Yet this is not all, Chickahominy river. 

The sad hearts that are breaking are far from thy shore, 
But their slain they have left in trust to thy keeping— 

Chickahominy river, take care of thy store. 

Let thy banks guard them well, Chickahominy river, 

Let the dust of the hero lie calmly at rest! 
Till the trump of the dead shall awake them to glory. 

Immortal to live in the land of the blest." 

The heat of the summer of 1862, during the months of 
July and August, was extreme, and was the more felt through 
lack of ice. This luxury having been thought a necessity, we 
did not think it possible to live without it. The street pumps 
were brought into requisition, and we were thankful for a 
drink of "Jupiter's nectar." As I said before, we carried our 
cups and pitchers with us in the evenings when on the proma- 
nade, and had many a laugh at the novel proceeding — for we 
did laugh sometimes in those days. 

I have often thought since that, had we given way to our 
feelings of grief that the surroundings called forth, none of 
us could have survived. Turn which way we would, the sad 
emblems of bereavement met us. The husbands of several of 
our friends had been killed and their bodies left within the 
enemy's lines, and the uncertainty of their fate was harrowing 



76 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

in the extreme. One lady pined away, and died from anxiety 
and grief. Another lady never rested until she went through 
the enemy's lines, and had her husband's body disinterred to 
be certain he was really slain. 

A most heartless act was perpetrated, which I shall re- 
cord here. The oldest son of Mr. Milton Boullmett, a member 
of the Third Alabama regiment, and a most promising young 
man, was killed at Malvern Hill. The mayor of Richmond 
had his body brought from the battlefield and properly in- 
terred, marked his grave and sent his Bible and other me- 
mentos to his bereaved parents. Some time afterwards Mr. 
Boullmett received a dispatch from a place between Mobile and 
Richmond, saying that his son was lying at this place 
wounded. The person that sent the dispatch asked Mr. 
Boullmett to forward him a certain amount of money, and he 
would immediately bring the son home. Instead of sending 
the money, Mr. Boullmett hurried to the place, with feelings 
alternating between hope and distrust, to find no son there, 
nor the sender of the dispatch. The act was a scheme to ob- 
tain money. The feelings of the poor mother, at this heart- 
less proceeding, can better be imagined than described. 

The health of the city was excellent during the whole 
summer, which was a great blessing. There was no sign of 
yellow fever and I do not recollect of hearing of a case during 
the whole four years. 

General Forney had the city put into a state of defense* 
and we felt much safer in consequence. The ladies were leav- 
ing nothing undone to assist in taking care of the soldiers in 
the hospitals. They formed into societies of all kinds. I vis- 
ited the general hospital which was under their supervision 
and they had everything in perfect order. They prepared the 
delicacies and took charge of all donations, and saw that they 
were properly distributed. It did me good to see our poor 



MOBILE. I 7 

fellows in such a delightful retreat, a great contrast to what I 
had seen near the army. There Avere other hospitals in the 
city, and all conducted in the same delightful manner. 

The noncombatants formed themselves into relief societies, 
and did all they could to relieve the wants of those whose 
natural protectors were in the army. They had a supply so- 
ciety where they sold groceries at a very low rate to those who 
could buy, and gave to those who could not. In order to do 
this, men were sent up the country to buy produce as cheap as 
possible from the planters, who often sent handsome donations 
of eatables. A clergyman informed me that he had fewer calls 
for charity than he had before the war. 

There is not the least doubt but we had numbers of " sor- 
did sons of mammon," men who speculated on the necessities 
of the times, but I am certain that in no war was there more 
noble, disinterested kindness than there was in ours. 

I trust that the history of one gentleman, whose deeds 
were well-known to the writer, will not be out of place here. 
He is now resting from his labors, and his works, I trust, are 
living after him. William P. Hammond was a native of Scot- 
land, and for years a successful cotton merchant of Mobile. 
He married a Mobile lady, Miss C. Stickney, and when the war 
broke out had several children. J3eing a man of wealth, he 
was surrounded by all of the comforts and luxuries that 
money could procure, having a handsome town and city resi- 
dence. His deeds of charity were many, as numerous widows 
and orphans could testify. He espoused the Southern cause 
with all of the enthusiasm for which his country is noted, 
thinking that the people of the South were the best judges of 
their own necessities. His faith in the justice of the cause 
was proved by his deeds, for when the war ended little or 
nothing remained of his wealth, excepting Confederate bonds. 
Pie was unable to enter the army, but his oldest son, quite a 



78 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

youth, left college and, with the sanction of his patriotic 
father, enlisted as a private. He was a member of all of the 
relief committees for the benefit of the soldiers' families. 
When the collapse came all he owned was a home in the coun- 
try, which was almost uninhabitable by being surrounded by 
fortifications, and a cotton warehouse, which an explosion lev- 
eled with the ground. Nothing daunted, he went to work, and 
with the aid of friends rebuilt his cotton warehouse, and for- 
tune again smiled upon him. As is well-known to all, the 
poverty of the South for many years was extreme. Mr. 
Hammond was so very conscientious that not one cent did he 
spend upon himself and family but what was absolutely nec- 
essary, saying that he was nothing but a steward in God's 
hands, and it was his duty to give to others as had been given 
to him. 

When General Thomas, by an unheard of arbitrary edict 
clpsed every Episcopal church in Alabama, our good pastor 
was left penniless. A scheme was staited to raise money for 
his support ; each member was to contribute what he could. 
As service was permitted to be held in the rectory, often Mr. 
Hammond handed the rector a twenty dollar bill, and at that 
time he could not be induced to buy himself a new suit of 
clothes, so his wife informed me. 

I have given this history of Mr. Hammond, being cogniz- 
ant of the facts, and there is not the least doubt that were 
they known, many others did as much in "doing what they 
could." 

About the latter part of July the army left for Tennessee 
and many of the troops passed through Mobile. My brother's 
command passed through Tuscaloosa, and he wrote in glow- 
ing terms about the manner in which the troops were treated. 
He said the ladies and old men met them in the streets, with 
baskets full of eatables, and fed them as they passed along. 



MOBILE. 79 

Captain Curtis, of Price's staif, called to see me on his 
way to the army and was in fine spirits, as General Price was 
expecting to get an independent command and go and free 
Missouri. 



CHAPTER VII. 

RINGGOLD — DALTOX CHATTANOOGA. 

Feeling assured that we would have much more fighting, 
and, being anxious to do all we could in the cause, several 
ladies and myself made up our minds to go to Tennessee, and 
wait there until we knew the destination of our army, that 
rumor said had gone into Kentucky. I shall quote from my 
journal, though not verbatim : 

August 28. — Today Mrs. May, Mrs. Wilhamson and my- 
self left Mobile for Tennessee. Among the friends who came 
to see us off was our good pastor. Dr. Pierce (now bishop of 
Arkansas), who introduced us to a Mr. Fogle from New Or- 
leans. We crossed Mobile bay in the steamer Mary Wilson 
to Tensas Landing, and then took the cars for Montgomery. 
The country through which we passed had numerous pine 
forests, from which much turpentine is manufactured. 

Mr. Fogle was very attentive, as was also his friend, an 
old gentleman, who was a little crusty. This we did not mind, 
for, as I have said before, men seemed to think that women 
had no right to travel during war times. 

We arrived at Montgomery the morning of the 29th and 
put up at a fine hotel, the Exchange, and paid one dollar each 
for an excellent breakfast. Mr. Fogle and his friend having 
important business to detain them in Montgomery, we were 
deprived of their company tl)e rest of the journey. They 
very kindly provided a carriage for us and told the driver to 
take us to the car and put us in the care of the conductor, 
which he faithfully did. After the gentlemen left us Mrs. 



RINGGOLD — D ALTON CHATTANOO(iA. 81 

Williamson naively remarked : " I expect my number of 
packages alarmed our two friends, and caused them to have 
such important business in Montgomery." 

We thought we rather gained by having no escort, as the 
conductor, Mr. Phillips, was most attentive. 

We met a lady on the cars taking her negroes up the 
country, as many supposed Mobile would soon be in the hands 
of the enemy. Mrs. General McCoy, of Mobile, was also on 
the train en route for Virginia to see her husband, who had 
been taken ill while nursing a wounded son, who afterwards 
died from his wound. 

After changing cars at West Point we received the same 
kind attention from the next conductor. W^hen we arrived in 
Atlanta, at dark, he escorted us to the train for Chattanooga, 
checked our baggage and secured us seats. 

We arrived at Chattanooga covered with dust and wearied 
with our journey, having come six hundred miles in thirty-six 
hours. 

When about thirty miles from Chattanooga a guard ex- 
amined our papers, and, on finding that none of us had the 
right kind, informed us that we could go no further. We had 
gotten ours from the provost-marshal of Mobile, but orders had 
come from Chattanooga to allow no one to go there without a 
special permit. The men were very much incensed at this 
peremptory order and remonstrated with the guard, but all 
proved of no avail, for they along with some ladies, had to get 
off at the first station we came to. 

Upon telling the guard of our mission and showing our 
order for transportation, we were permitted to proceed. I 
presume he thought we were government "officials." 

A fine looking lady, Mrs. Hanby, whose husband was 
upon General Hardee's staff, had a permit from that general to 
go to any part of the Confederacy, but that august document 



82 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

was of no avail, and she was ordered off just like the others. 
Great was the consternation of the guard when she very de- 
cidedly told him she would not go. Poor man ! He might 
fight single-handed for or against state rights, but before wo- 
man's rights he was powerless, so said no more to her. This 
lady had just come from Kentucky,- where she had been very 
harshly treated by the Federal authorities, having been taken 
for a spy. She eluded the vigilance of the offtcei-s and brought 
out quite an amount of contraband goods. We were very 
glad to accept some contrahand nutmegs from her, as they 
were scarce, and we needed them to season delicacies for the sick. 

We went to the Crutchfield House at Chattanooga, and 
were informed we could not procure a room without a special 
pass from the provost-marshal of the place. We were in a 
dilemma now, as we wei'e not allowed to walk even a square 
without this pass, so could not get out to procure one. 

The clerk of the hotel kindly informed us that we could 
wash our hands and faces in the parlor and eat breakfast. 
For this gracious concession we were properly thankful. Af- 
ter waiting for some time for water to be brought in, I ven- 
tured to ask a white girl, who was sweeping the hall, to bring 
us some, as we wished to get rid of the dust by which we 
were covered. This femme de chcnnhrc coolly informed us we 
could get none until the next day, and, as if to add insult to 
injury, deliberately walked into the parlor and vigorously plied 
her broom to the carpet, enveloping us in clouds of dust. 
Thinking we had borne enough even for war times, we left the 
parlor in disgust and went in quest of water. Fortunately we 
came up with our heroic friend, Mrs. Hanby, who this time 
was the favored one and had procured a room on General Har- 
dee's pass. She most kindly gave us the use of her room, and 
we were much refreshed by the aid of that aqueous fluid, 
which appeared then to be contraband. 



RINGGOLD DALTON — CHATTANOOGA. 83 

After breakfast a gentleman informed us that he knew of 
a by-road to the post-surgeon's office, where there were no 
guards, so Mrs. May and Mrs. Williamson took advantage of 
his kindness and accompanied him upon the surreptitious road- 
After their departure, seating myself in the parlor to 
meditate upon the strangeness of the times, my cogitatjons 
were broken by the appearance of an old Kentucky friend. 
Major Proctor, of General Hardee's staff. I was perfectly de- 
lighted to meet him, for I felt assured he could, and would, 
deliver us from the state of bondage into which we had fallen. 
He took me to see Dr. John Young, of Kentucky, medical 
purveyor, who, on Major Proctor's assurance that we were 
" no spies," but loyal Confederates, procured us passes to go 
through the streets and environs of Chattanooga until further 
orders. 

The army had gone into Kentucky, as General Bragg 
had every hope that the Kentuckians would rise en masse and 
rid themselves of the hated Yankee yoke. 

We lost no time in calling upon the post-surgeon, who re- 
ceived us very kindly and informed us that Dr. Thornton, 
whom we had come to see, was at Ringgold, Ga., about thirty 
miles below. Our Kentucky friend, Dr. Y''oung, who was a 
whole-souled Southerner, procured us transportation to that 
place, and thither we bent our steps. We found it a pretty 
little village, and several hospitals, well filled with patients, 
already there. Mrs. Glasburn and several of the ladies of Co- 
rinth were in one of the hospitals, and also two of the Corinth 
doctors. 

After spending a few days at the Catosa House, an excel- 
lent hotel, we procured board with a fine old lady, Mrs. Evans. 
I was much pleased with the place and charmed with the cor- 
diality and kindness of the country people. Fruit, vegetables, 
butter, milk, and, in fact, all that one could wish of good, 



84 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

wholesome food, was there in abundance. Springs of pure, 
cool water abounded everywhere. We visited several saltpe- 
ter caves, which the government was using for gunpowder. 

A short distance from Ringgold is the now famous Chick- 
amauga creek or river, a stream which flows north and 
empties into the Tennessee river at Chattanooga. I went fish- 
ing in its water, with a party of young folks, and I presume 
the noise we made gave warning to the finny tribe, for we re- 
turned without a single fish. The woods all around this 
stream are dense, and the country surrounding very lovely. 
Who among us at that fishing party but would have laughed 
at any one who would have predicted the awful fratricidal 
conflict, which was destined, in a little more than a year, to be 
enacted in these peaceful solitudes? Alas ! how prophetic its 
name — Chickamauga, River of Death. 

I shall again quote from my journal : 

September 4. — Mrs. May and I went to Chattanooga to- 
day, accompanied by a gentleman friend. We visited the hos- 
pitals, in which there were very few sick men, and those few 
had the appearance of needing plenty of good food. Some of 
them had been in Mobile, and I was not a little pleased at the 
praise they bestowed upon the ladies of my city. Within 
sight of the Tennessee was one of the hospitals. After leaving 
it, we took a stroll on its banks, and the scenery was perfectly 
beautiful. The river rolled at our feet, and 



While 



"Tall rocks and tufted kuoUs their face 
Could on the dark blue mirrror trace," 

"Aloft the ash and warrior oak 
Cast anchor in the rifted rock ; 
And higher yet the pine tree hung 

His shattered trunk. 
So wondrous wild the whole might seem 
The scenery of a fairy dream." 



RINGGOLD DALTON CHATTANOOGA. 85 

This is truly the "land of the mountain and the flood." 
I was enraptured with all I saw. The scenery that Scott 
has so beautifully portrayed was now before me. All was calm 
and still, 

"Noontide was sleeping on the hill." 

The city had been shelled a few months before, and we 
sat upon a bank and ate our lunch opposite to where the Fed- 
erals had planted their batteries. We were told that no warn- 
ing was given to the inhabitants, and when the balls came 
pouring in the panic was fearful, as women and children flew 
in all directions to escape from the deadly missiles. The 
enemy took possession, but afterwards gave the place up. 

In the afternoon we paid a visit to another hospital, where 
Mrs. May met an old friend in the surgeon, Dr. Hunter. He 
was much pleased to meet her, and wished her services imme- 
diately. As soon as the hospital could be enlarged he wished 
Mrs. Williamson and myself. The hospital was composed of 
the upper part of several large warehouses, each one opening 
into the other, and a current of air blew right through them. 
As a disinfectant, all were thoroughly whitewashed with lime. 
The hospital was called "The Newsom," after a most beautiful 
lady I met in Corinth, and admired for her noble work among 
the soldiers. (See Appendix.) 

No one appeared to know what had become of the army. 
I had not heard from ray brother since his trip through 
North Alabama, and, like many others, was not a little anx- 
ious. All the Kentuckians in Chattanooga were more than 
hopeful that the Federals would be driven from the State. 

Mrs. May and 1 returned to Ringgold to await further 
orders. We were very pleasantly situated with our kind 
hostess, Mrs. Evans, but as we had not left home for pleasure, 
were anxious to be at work. Mrs. Evans had a visit from her 
son, a Methodist minister, who wished to know about the 



86 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

authoress, Miss Augusta Evans. He admired her so much 
that he named one of his Httle girls after her. 

We visited the hospitals, and in one found a poor fellow 
fighting against some arrowroot a nurse was forcing him to 
take. I soon saw why it was not palatable. It was too 
thick. I took some and making it quite thin, seasoned it with 
wine. The patient drank a tumblerful right off and relished 
it very much. I have already told how much of this ingre- 
dient I used at Corinth, and I did so during the whole war. 
It would relieve a cough when nothing else would, and was 
excellent in diarrhoea and pneumonia. 

Owing to having had dry weather sweet potatoes were 
scarce. Several of the men begged us for some, so we went 
on a foraging expedition to try and procure them. A very 
kind lady gave us the best she had, and for which she would 
take no money. This lady had two pretty young daughters 
who were busy spinning and weaving. This ancient custom 
had become quite fashionable, as the blockade kept all other 
goods out of the country. So much for being dependent upon 
others for what we ought to have had ourselves. 

As I am writing about what we did, thought and said dur- 
ing the war, 1 must not omit a subject which touched us ladies 
very closely. At Ringgold, as at Corinth, some women, not of 
the right kind, had been in the hospitals. The people of the 
place had found them out, and on making complaint to the 
officials, the women had been dismissed. Several friends 
called upon us and advised us to return home, as they did not 
consider it respectable to enter a hospital. Heaven help us, 
or any people who have such false views of so sacred a duty ! 
This was not the first time, by any means, that we had been 
told this, and I think it reflected neither good sense nor a 
humane spirit upon the Southern people. Were our fathers, 
brothers, husbands and sons to be left in the dreary hospitals, 



RIX(;G0LD D ALTON CHATTANOOGA. 87 

on the terrible battlefield, far from friends and homes, with- 
out one cheering word to comfort them, or a friendly hand to 
smooth the pillow of the dying ; because, forsooth, it was uot 
thought respectable ? No! Our duty was plain enough, and 
that was to go and do what we could for our poor suffering 
patriots — and little enough it was, when they were enduring 
so much for us. It is no idle gossip that I am writing, for we 
found out before the war closed, that many men, as well as 
women, were imbued with the same sentiments. Some say 
that we were not lauded enough, and I am writing this from 
wounded vanity ; but such is not the case, for we were praised 
so much, that many a time I have asked if it was such an un- 
usual thing for a Southern woman to do her duty ? We all 
know that there Avere many noble and true women who came 
forward and faithfully did their part. Women whose deeds, 
were they all known, would make what Miss Nightingale en- 
dured at the Crimea, sink into insignificance. But alas ! as I 
can testify, there were others who did little or nothing, while 
their country was bleeding at every pore. Oh ! how much 
they could have done to alleviate the horrors of the cruel war. 
We all know that " evil is wrought by want of thought, as well 
as want of heart." 

A young lady. Miss Julia Lowe, came to me after the war 
was ended, and said : "You have nothing with which to re- 
proach yourself, for you have done your duty. Oh ! how mis- 
erable I am at having done so little. In the next war I shall 
certainly do better." This lady I had often urged to come 
with me, for I knew she was well suited for the work, but she 
seemed to lack moral courage for the undertaking. She told 
me one day she would come if one of her brothers was a sur- 
geon in the hospital. I asked her if the Sisters of Charity had 
brothers in them before they ventured in. I should like to 
have some one tell me why a Roman Catholic can go with 



r 



GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 



credit where it is a disgrace for a Protestant to go? I shall 
say now what, perhaps, I have said before, that a woman's re- 
spectability is at a low ebb when caring for the suffering will 
endanger it. 

Hearing that Judge and Mrs. Thornton were at Dalton, I 
went down there to see them. The Judge had gone to Vir- 
ginia to bring his wounded son home, and the poor fellow was 
so ill the father could get him no further, and his mother had 
come to help nurse him. When I saw him he was so wasted 
that he could scarcely speak. After remaining several weeks 
in Dalton, they managed to get him home, where he died 
shortly afterwards. Poor fellow; how patiently he bore his 
sufferings. 

I was much pleased with Dalton, as it is romantically sit- 
uated, in a valley, surrounded by mountains. Since the war it 
has become quite a manufacturing town. The people had a 
peculiar accent, such as we read of in Georgia scenes. They 
were enthusiastic Southerners, and were getting ready to take 
care of the wounded, who were expected. Historic Dalton ! 
How little we dreamed of the fate of these good people, and 
the sad havoc that would be in these peaceful hills and dales, 
scourged by Sherman and his men on their "grand march to 
the sea." 

After a short visit at Dalton I resumed my hospital duties 
in Chattanooga, along with my two lady friends. We were in 
the Newsom Hospital, which was capable of accommodating 
six hundred patients. It occupied two sides of the street, and 
on our side were three wards. I was assigned one, which was 
quite a distance from the room we occupied. It had many pa- 
tients, some of whom were very ill — one died the day I took 
charge. His name was Hughes, a member of a Louisiana regi- 
ment. In a few days two more — Watt and Allen Jones, mem- 
bers of a Louisiana regiment — went to their long homes. 



RINGGOLD DALTON CHATTANOOGA. 89 

This, of course, was very deploring, but we had much to try 
us in those days. 

Our hospital trials ! How shall I ever recount them ? In 
the first place we had nothing to cook upon for those who were 
ill but a very small stove, and that smoked. When we com- 
plained about it. Dr. Hunter's consolation was the history of 
a remarkable woman, a friend of his, who cooked for about 
five hundred people upon one of the same size. This did not 
mend matters for us, as she, not being there to perform this 
wonderful feat, we had to make out the best way we could. 
We were sadly in need of proper food for the sick, beef and 
excellent wheat light bread being our all. We made beef tea, 
and toasted the bread, making it as palatable as possible with a 
little butter. The men all begged for milk, and we bought a 
little with our own money. Every hospital was entitled to a 
certain sum of money for each patient from the government. 
The surgeon in charge, previous to Dr. Hunter, had overdrawn 
his dues, and v/e were sufl:"ering from his mismanagement. 

After being wearied and sick at heart, at seeing so much 
suffering from lack of nourishment, I wrote home for money 
or anything else the people could send. My appeal was not in 
vain, and the good people of Mobile immediately sent supplies 
of all kinds, but our needs being so many, we were soon as 
bad ofl: as ever. Our kind Kentucky friend. Dr. Young, gave 
us many articles, such as wine, arrowroot and spices, which 
were most needed for seasoning; he also gave me some cloth- 
ing for the men, which helped us not a little, for after our 
day's work was finished, we usually made shirts and other 
articles. 

We three occupied one room, and were very fortunate in 

having a most pleasantly situated one. It was in a third story 

front, and the view from the windows was grand. To the 

right was the Tennessee in its circuitous route meandering 
6 



90 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

through fertile fields and meadows ; facing us was. quite a rise, 
dotted with handsome mansions, surrounded by lovely gardens 
of shrubbery ; and to our left was Lookout Mountain, looking 
like a lion couchant, frowning down upon the placid waters of 
the Tennessee, whicli flows around its base. Many a time, 
when worn out physically and mentally, have I forgotten my 
trials in gazing with rapture upon tliis lovely, scene. Mr. 
Bryant, the owner of the house occupied it with us, and his 
wife was most kind. Poor thing, she, like many others, had 
to vacate her premises at the command of the government, and 
put up with any place she could find. 

Another of our trials was our " help." We had several 
free negroes and they were anything but efficient. It was 
amusing to see the contempt the slaves had for them. The 
doctors had a good old negro cook, and one day she became 
quite angry at what some one had said to her, and remarked 
to me : " He speaks to me as if I was a free nigger, and had no 
master to care for me." 

We found the convalescent soldiers the most reliable 
" help," but just as soon as we got them initiated into the culi- 
nary art they were sent to the army. At first we could 
scarcely keep our gravity, at seeing the soldiers standing by 
the stove gravely turning batter cakes, or frying beef steak, 
but, like everything else, we soon got used to them. Dr. 
Hunter was very kind and did all he could to assist us, but 
servants were not to be had, and as for the smoky chimney^ 
though a disciple of Esculapius, he could not cure it. 

We were continually hearing reports of the army being 
in Kentucky, but nothing definite. Up to October the Ken- 
tuckians in Chattanooga were full of hope of soon getting to 
their homes. Dr. Young was so elated at the reports that he 
requested me to enlarge his vest, saying he had puft'ed out 
so with the good news, it had become too small. Poor 



KINGGOLD D ALTON CHATTANOOGA. 91 

man ! He, like many others, was doomed to disappointment, 
for lie never saw the " promised land " until " Wild war's 
deadly blast had blawn." 

By the end of October we knew the trath, that Bragg, 
not getting the assistance he expected from the people, had 
to abandon Kentucky. It was a terrible blow to us all, 
but our trials appeared endless. And in reviewing the past 
my wonder is how we stood them so well ; but hope, which 
•' springs eternal in the human breast," must have buoyed us up. 

Mrs. May had a stove to herself which smoked, as all ap- 
peared to do in Chattanooga. She had other trials and, not 
being very well, sank under her difficulties and returned home. 
We regretted this, as she was a true and faithful nurse and 
was liked by doctors and patients. Dear old Mrs. Williamson 
— "grandma," as the men called her — worked early and late for 
her " dear boys." How they did love her ; and how comfort- 
ing were the mild benedictions which she administered to the 
sick and dying. God only knows how many weary wanderers 
she was instrumental in bringing to Christ. And not the sick 
alone felt the influence of her humble Chistianity,but all with 
whom she came in contact. I think I hear her mild accents 
yet, when sometimes we would be tried almost beyond human 
endurance, she would say in the gentlest tones : "Have pa- 
tience and God will bring all right." She went to her reward 
a few years after the war closed, and died as she had lived — a 
consistent member of the Methodist church. 

Our hospitals were filled with sick men from Northern 
prisons. They presented a pitiable sight, being almost desti- 
tute of clothing. We had also numbers from Bragg's army, 
and sad enough tales they told of their retreat from Ken- 
tucky. Many of them were ragged and barefooted, worn out 
from fatigue and hunger. Many of the Kentuckians, Avhen 
leaving their State, wept like children. 



92 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

In the midst of our work Mrs. Williamson was stricken 
down with typhoid fever, and lay for many weeks very ill. A 
negro girl was procured to take care of her, as it was impos- 
sible for me to do so. But the dear patient Christian required 
very little attention, for like many of our patients, she lay in 
a state of apathy, and did not appear to care what became of 
her. She frequently told me she was going to die, but God 
spared her, for He had more work for her to perform, and also 
many more trials for her to endure. As may be imagined, I 
had my hands full, as the three wards were under my super- 
vision. Many a day passed without my seeing Mrs. William- 
son, from the time I got up in the morning until I retired at 
night. 

Besides all this, we received bad news from Kentucky, also 
that Price and Van Dorn had been defeated at Corinth. Alas! 
this cruel war ; what woe and desolation did it not bring to 
hearts North as well as South ? But how could we be expected 
to have any sympathy with the North? Were they not in- 
vaders, trampling upon the rights of a free people? 

Four months elapsed ere we heard a word from my 
brother. He wrote from Tuscaloosa in July on the march to 
Kentucky. My father, in despair, telegraphed to me to see if 
I could find out anything about him. Oh, the anxiety of those 
terrible times! Can words ever portray what we endured? 
Never! as many can testify. Hearing that Wither's division, 
to which my brother belonged, was passing through, I took an 
escort and went down to the depot to try and learn his fate. 
There I met Colonel Buck and Captain Muldoon, of the 
Twenty-fourth Alabama Regiment, who informed me he was 
well, and that his company, the Alabama State Artillery, had 
gone another route. 

We had first one kind of help in the kitchen and then an- 
other, when one day I was so fortunate as to procure the ser- 



RINGGOLD — D ALTON CHATTANOOGA. 93 

vices of an excellent woman, Mrs. Rally, who had come to see 
her husband. He had been all through the Kentucky cam- 
paign, and had succumbed to illness. Mrs. Rally was so 
thankful to be near him, and as he was recovering, she offered 
to assist us all in her power. We were getting along finely, 
when Mr. Kally took a relapse and breathed his last in her 
arms, a consolation thousands of women would have given 
worlds to have had — the satisfaction of being with their loved 
ones at the last. I did what I could to get her to remain, but 
as all reminded her of her loss, she would not do so. I could 
relate many instances of wives coming to see their husbands, 
who would be told, "He died a few days ago." Oh, the 
despair those few words brought to the hearts of these stricken 
ones ! There was one poor woman whose shrieks of despair 
I shall never forget. I used to wisli that Lincoln and his 
emissaries could be brought where these heartrending scenes 
were enacted, and surely they would have held their hands 
when issuing their mandates for troops to go and massacre 
their fellow men. But as the poet says: 

"One murder makes a villain — 

Millions a hero. * * * 

Ah! why will kings forget that they are men, 

And men that they are brothers." 

Chattanooga was filled with hospitals, as it was the head- 
quartei's of the army. Ours belonged to Hardee's corps, and 
had bunks for seven hundred patients. As a matter of course, 
there was much to be done, and there was also much left un- 
done. All we ladies could do was to see that the food for the 
very ill was properly prepared, and that they got it properly. 

We had an excellent baker, but numbers of our men, being 
fiom the country, did not relish wheat bread. We made the 
stale bread into batter cakes and puddings, which were eaten 
with a gusto. We let the batter stand until it was fomented, 



94 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

and as ega;s were at a premiaui, the cakes were made without. 
The puddings were made out of the same batter, witli the ad- 
dition of molasses, raisins and spices. Of course tlie conva- 
lescents did not fare near so sumptuously, and my wonder now 
is how the men -ever got well on the food we gave them. 
, - ^.Mra^^NewsonV was matron of a hospital belonging to 
Polk's corps, and one day I saw her cooking for fifty men upon 
a small grate. She told me that in order to cook all, she had 
to get up every morning at 3 o'clock. Having been in the 
hospitals in their infancy, when they were much worse off, she 
did not murmur. She was with the army when Polk was at 
Bowling Green, Ky., and she told me the suffering of the sick 
and wounded there, from inefficient attention, was distressing. 
Poor thing, she had much to trouble her besides cooking upon 
a small grate. She had just received word from her home in 
Arkansas that her father, a Baptist minister, had been impris- 
oned because he would not take the oath of allegiance to the 
Federal government. It appears strange that a man whose 
mission is peace, should be imprisoned for not taking an oath 
that his conscience forbade his doing. But such instances of 
barbarity were by no means uncommon. 

The Rev. John Murray Robertson had been an honored 
minister of the gospel for about thirty years, when the war 
between the States began. He was a native of Maryland, but 
was living in Huntsville, Ala., at that time. He espoused the 
Southern cause with zest, and being a man of strong convic- 
tions, was scarcely expected to change when the time of trial 
came. When Huntsville was first occupied by Federal troops? 
having several sons in the Confederate army, he was subjected 
to many indignities by a petty tyrant, who was provost-mar- 
shal. When Huntsville was a second time in the hands of 
Federal troops. Rev. J. M. Robertson, being a minister of the 
Episcopal church, did not use the prayer for the President of 




MRS. ELLA KING NEWSOM 
('/'he Florciii-e Xi<j}iliiuj(ile of t lie Soutli. 



RINGGOLD DALTON CHATTANOOGA. 95 

the United States. This omission was deemed in accordance 
with all civil and ecclesiastical law, as in this enlightened age 
no one can surely be expected to offer up a prayer they do not 
feel is right. Such a prayer, we all know, is mockery, and could 
not be acceptable at the Throne of Grace. But the redoubt- 
able champions of the "best government the world ever saw," 
with the spirit of a Nero, were determiued that the prayer 
should be said or he would be imprisoned. So one bright 
Monday morning a sergeant with a file of soldiers arrested 
him, and, on his refusal to do what his conscience forbade, he 
was imprisoned and treated very harshly. He was taken to 
the Tennessee river to be sent South, and there the magnani- 
mous colonel, who commanded the guard in charge of him, had 
him put in a chicken coop, and though the night was extremely 
cold, did not allow him a blanket or covering of any kind. 
The next morning, when taken out more dead than alive, he 
commenced crowing like a rooster. This annoyed the guards 
so much that they threatened to shoot him if he did not desist, 
but nothing daunted, he kept on crowing. One of the soldiers 
placed his gun in a position to shoot, when this intrepid 
minister looked at him perfectly fearless and said : "• You 
coward, you dare not shoot a defenseless old man." The man 
lowered his gun, apparently ashamed of his action. He was 
placed upon a raft and sent down the river, and crowed until out 
of the hearing of his captors. This, people of the North, is 
an"ower true tale," as numbers can testify; for this heroic 
soldier of the cross was well known in Alabama. He never 
recovered the effects of his terrible exposure that bitter cold 
night in the hen coop, and died from disease contracted there. 
Some may say why recount these things? They can do 
no good. I trust they may do some good ; there are always 
two ways of telling a story — the right and the wrong. I 
have read so much against the South in Northern books that 



96 GLEANINGS PROM SOUTHLAND. 

I think it is liigh time for the Soutli to tell her own tale, and 
enlighten those who really have not the least idea of one-half 
of the outrages committed upon our defenseless people. 

I was invited to take a horseback ride with a party, and 
feeling the need of recreation, accepted. General Hardee was 
of the number, and being well acquainted with the finest parts 
of this romantic place, was our pilot, and an excellent one he 
made. He took us up to a high ridge and from its summit we 
beheld a lovely panorama of the surrounding country. Below 
us was the river with its serpentine windings, making what 
had the appearance of many islands. Though we had had 
frost the trees had not shed their foliage, and were magnifi- 
cently clad in the gorgeous hues of autumn. In these lonely 
woods where there was naught save the " silent worshipers," 
they caused a feeling of awe, which was the 

* * * " felt presence of the Deity. 
Along these lonely regions where, retired 
From little scenes of art, great nature dwells 
In awful solitude." 

At one time we were on the brink of a precipice, which 
on looking over I beheld a "darksome glen," where the " noble 
stag" which Fitz James so ruthlessly chased, might have been 
soon " lost to hound and hunter's ken." It was a most solitary 
nook, where doubltess the fairies loved to hold their revels. 
The sun was setting and 

" The western waves of ebbing day 
Rolled o'er the glen their levelled way ; 
Each purple peak, each flinty spire, 
Was bathed in floods of living fire. 
But not a setting beam could glow 
Within the dark ravine below." 

General Hardee, " author of the tactics," was the tout en- 
semhle of a soldier, and combined the fortiter in re, with the 



RINGGOLD D ALTON CHATTANOOGA. 97 

suaviterin modo. At the beginning of the war he was in com- 
mand of Fort Morgan, and since then he had held high 
positions in the army. He was the hero of many battles, and 
was much esteemed for his military knowledge, being a grad- 
uate of West Point and also of a military school in France. 
Major Roy, his adjutant-general, a very handsome and elegant 
gentleman, was of the party. He spoke of General Hardee in 
most affectionate terms. 

On reaching home, I was much gjieved to learn that one 
of my patients. Lieutenant Thompson, of the 27th Missis- 
sippi, had died in my absence. Although I had seen very 
little of him, having been brought in a few days previous 
in a dying state, still, I regretted being away, and thought I 
would never leave again. 

Dr. Hopping, of Alabama, was surgeon in charge of my 
special ward, and a most kind, attentive one he was. Before 
Mrs. Williamson was taken ill, whenever we wished a spirit- 
ual adviser for the soldiers, having no chaplain, we called upon 
her. While she was lying ill one of my nurses came and told 
me that one of the patients was very ill, and that before being 
so bad, he had been very profane. The nurse was most anx- 
ious that I should go and speak to him on the state of his soul, 
I went over and spoke as well as I could. I read several chap- 
ters in the Bible, I think one was the last of Revelations; 
prayed with him and read several hymns. The man appeared 
much impressed with all I said, and the nurses were delighted 
with the change in his behavior. Oh ! how gratifying it was 
to me to think that such a small act of mine would apparently 
do so much good. Before daylight the next morning the man 
was called to his account. His nurses told me he prayed until 
the last, and wished several times that I would come to see 
him again. The nurses did not think I ought to come, as the 
hospital was quite a distance from where we roomed. I would 



98 GLEANINGS PROM SOUTHLAND. 

gladly have gone to him, and regretted not being sent for. 
About the end of the year it was rumored that Bragg had 
requested Davis to relieve him of the command of the West- 
ern army; whether true or not, General Joseph E. Johnston, of 
Manassas fame, visited the army, and we thought had come to 
take charge. On calling on a friend, Mrs. Brooks, I met the gen- 
eral's wife, and was much pleased with what little Isaw of her. 
She was a fine looking lady, with extremely affable manners 
and fine conversational powers. She said her husband was 
much pleased with the morale of the army, and thought 
Bragg had done all for it thfvt could be done. I also met sev- 
eral of General Johnston's staff officers, whose names I have 
forgotten. These gentlemen, like all educated Southerners 
whom I met, were high toned, elegant mannered personages. 

When we first went to Chattanooga several of the first 
ladies of the place called upon us, and were not a little sur- 
prised when we told them, most emphatically, that we did not 
expect to visit. In the first place, we had no time ; and in the 
second, knowing we would have all kinds of diseases in the 
hospital, did not think it would be right to visit families and 
perhaps take the diseases in our clothes. I think these two 
reasons were enough, though we were most grateful for all the 
kindness shown us by the good people of Chattanooga. My 
visit to Mrs. Brooks was to beg a stove which I heard she 
had, or I should not have gone. 

Mrs. Brewer gave a dinner party to Mrs. General J. on 
Christmas, and I was to have been of the party, but at that 
time was lying very ill. My health from the time I started 
for Corinth until then was splendid, but I suppose I was put 
upon a bed of sickness to make me feel for the hundreds of 
poor fellows, whom I was destined to see suffer so much. I 
often thought of them, and my admiration rose higher than 
ever for their fortitude and patient endurance. 



RINGGOLD — DALTON — CHATTANOOGA. 99 

In letters from home all contrasted this Christmas with 
former times, but the people of Mobile were thankful they 
were left in peace, while so many places had suffered from the 
enemy. There was much talk about the speculators and their 
heartlessness, for some wei'e getting rich on the misfortunes 
of the country. 

The end of 1862 found us improved in many ways, though 
there was much suffering in camp and out of it. The haughty 
foe had had another "On to Richmond," and had been re- 
pulsed. Virginia had again been drenched with the blood of 
martyrs. 

December 31. — The last day of 1862, and how teeming 
with wonderful events has been the past year. 

"How many precions souls have fled 
To the vast regions of the dead, 
Since to this day the changing sun 
Through his last yearly period run." 

The South has suffered — oh, how terribly ! In every 
State of our beloved land there was mourning for the many 
precious lives which had been sacrificed upon their country's 
altar. Women and children had been left homeless and 
driven into the pitiless storm. Scotia's inspired bard had 
graphically pictured our woes : 

Blow, blow ye winds with heavier gust! 
And freeze, thou bitter, biting frost! 
Descend, ye chilling, smothering snows! 
Not all your rage as now united shows 

More hard unkindness, unrelenting — 

Vengeful malice, unrepenting — 
Than heav'n-illumined man on brother man bestows. 

See stern oppression's iron grip, 

Or mad ambition's gory hand. 
Sending, like bloodhounds from the slip. 

Woe, want and murder o'er our land — 



100 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

E'en in the peaceful rural vale 

Truth, weeping, tells the mournful tale. 

Amid all of our suffering that the above lines but too 
truthfully portrayed, the star of hope shone bright for our 
cause. Our armies were better fed and better clothed, and 
more improved, morally and physically, than heretofore. 
There was also a great improvement in the medical depart- 
ment. Surgeons had to be thoroughly examined before they 
could practice. Congress had passed a law providing for 
ladies in hospitals to take care of the domestic arrangements. 
Manufactories had arisen which were not thought of be- 
fore the war. Women who thought such things impossible 
before the war, were making shoes, hats, knitting socks, spin- 
ning and weaving. Fields were teeming with grain, where 
once grew king cotton. Texas supplied us with beef, so day 
after day saw us more and more independent. 

Although we had lost many great and good men, others 
had arisen to take their places. The foe had work to do be- 
fore they could conquer Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, Hill and 
a host of others in Virginia, with their invincible armies ; 
Bragg and Johnston in Tennessee, Beauregard at Charleston, 
Hindman and Price in the far West, the ubiquitous Morgan, 
Forest and Wheeler; and I must not forget Vicksburg and its 
noble defenders, and hosts of others. These, with God's bless- 
ings, we hoped would soon bring peace to our then distracted 
land. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CHATTANOOGA MOBILE. 



January 1, 18(33. — Another year has commenced, alas, 
with bloodshed! When will it cease? I ask myself that 
question with nothing but echo for my answer. The North 
IS putting forth all its energies to subjugate us, and seems de- 
termined to do its worst. May the God of Hosts be with us. 

I wrote the above in my journal on hearing of the batttle 
of Murfreesboro, which was fought on the last day of the 
year. We took thousands of prisoners and spoils of all 
kinds, but oh, the sacrifice ! How fearful ! 

Another battle was fought on the 2d, and our army had to 
fall back to Tullahoma. As 1 had just recovered from a severe 
Spell of illness, and Mrs. Williamson not being much better 
off, we had to content ourselves by remaining in our rooms 
and doing there what we could for the sufferers. Hundreds 
were brought in every night, and all who possibly could be 
moved, were sent oft" the next day to make room for more. 
Our surgeons and nurses were up day and night for about a 
week after the battle, and were thankful to rest but for a few 
minutes at a time. Every corner of the hospital was filled 
time and again. At one time we had five hundred wounded 
prisoners. I was told that scarcely one of them could speiik 
English, being newly imported Germans. So much for the 
Federals getting foreign aid. From my room window several 
times I witnessed the Federal surgeons dressing the wounded 
prisoners in the yard, and was quite shocked at their rough- 

101 



102 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

ness, being such a contrast to the tenderness I had always 
seen displayed by our doctors towards the suffering. 

Mrs. Williamson saw that plenty of food was provided. 
Bread, beef and coffee were all we had, but the wounded were 
thankful for that. The prisoners got exactly the same as our 
own men, as indeed, such was always the case wherever I had 
been. The people of the place were most kind, as not a train 
came in that there were not numbers of ladies and old gentle- 
men with all kinds of eatables to give to the men. 

The weather was extremely cold, and the sufferings of 
the troops were bound to be extreme. At one time I saw 
many regiments of well prisoners pass through the city on 
their way to camp. They made the citizens very angry by 
saying that they would soon be there as conquerors, which 
prediction was but too well verified. 

After more than a week's anxiety for my brother, I heard 
he was unhurt, though his company had suffered severely. 
Mobile was again called upon to mourn for many of her brave 
sons. The same sad tale, widows and orphans mourning for 
their loved ones. 

Dr. Hunter being away during these battles, an excellent 
man, Dr. F. Thornton, was left in charge. Though young for 
the position, he was very energetic and left nothing undone to 
procure proper food for the patients. He sent foragers all 
over the country for eggs, butter, milk, or anything else to be 
had. As medicine of all kinds was scarce, it was most imper- 
ative for us to get delicacies. The government provided 
money, and besides the ladies of the place sent Dr. Thornton 
a donation. My friend, Mrs. Brewer, called and gave me a 
hundred dollars of her own pocket money. Mobile not only 
sent money, but lots of " good things," which were saved for 
our very worst cases. The Jews of Mobile deserve honorable 
mention in this respect, for they were constantly sending us 



CHATTANOOGA — MOBILE. 103 

something. About this time I received a letter from home 
saying that the State of Alabama had paid off the interest of 
her debt in gold, and that a British steamer had called and 
taken the money. 

After its departure a dispatch was received from Lord 
Lyons, British minister at Washington, telling the captain 
not to take money, as it was a breach of international law. 
My father was most indignant at the British minister's being 
so punctilious, as from what we could hear he was not so nice 
regarding the Federals. 

Mrs. Nevvsom and I enjoyed many horseback rides in an 
endeavor to restore my health and to procure milk, etc., for 
the sick. While on one of our rambles we visited the small- 
pox hospital, where we both had several patients. We were 
not permitted to enter, but inquired after their welfare, and 
found all were doing well. We had one patient for whom I 
had a sincere sympathy. He was a prisoner, and was sus- 
pected of being a spy. His name was Thatcher, and he was one 
of Price's men, and seemed to feel the ignominy of his posi- 
tion. I paid him what attention his case required, and he was 
most grateful. He sent me a very complimentary note and a 
pretty gilt star. He was afterwards tried by a courtmai'tial, 
and, I was glad to learn, was cleared of the charge brought 
against him. • 

Notwithstanding all I did to regain my health, I did not 
get well, and the doctors insisted on my taking a trip home. 
I yielded to the inevitable and left for home, in company with 
my kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Brewer, who were going to 
visit relatives in Tuscaloosa. We remained a day in Atlanta, 
where Mrs. Brewer paid 1150 for a velvet mantle. Mr. Brewer 
paid my hotel bill, which was -$5, for two meals. We put up 
at the Atlanta Hotel, the landlord of which, Mr. Thompson, 
did all he could to make it pleasant for us. Mr. and Mrs. 



J 04 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

Brewer left me at Montgomery, and I made the rest of the 
trip in company with a Mr. Weaver, of Chattanooga, who was 
on his way South to find a home for his family. He intended 
bringing them to Selma, to be out of the way of the enemy, 
little thinking of the ruin and devastation that was to befall 
that part of the country. 

I remained in Mobile three weeks, and found the people 
gayer than ever, but as the city was filled with troops, the 
ladies said it was their duty to entertain them, being so far 
from their homes. General Buckner was in command of the 
troops, and was having the city put in a state of defence. 
The bay was filled with tiles to prevent the warships from 
I'eaching the city. I visited a sister living on the eastei'n 
shore, twelve miles across the bay, and returning in a sail- 
boat, it was as much as the helmsman could do to steer clear 
of the tiles. We passed several gunboats plying between the 
city and the forts. We came very nearly having a serious 
disaster, as one of the boats nearly carried us down in its 
wake. It was becoming harder than ever to live, and the 
fashionable topic of conversation was how to get something to 
eat. There was a good deal of speculation, though it was quite 
a disgrace to be rich. The principal light was from pine knots; 
as we could neither see nor read by that light, we had regular 
conversational parties seated around the lire. Our family had 
a little oil, which was kept for special occasions. Evei'y one 
took such things in perfect good humor, as we felt confident 
our deprivations would be but foi- a short time. What a blessed 
thing is hope ! We had to retire in the dark or have our com- 
plexions and our clothes ruined by pine smoke. We had many 
a hearty laugh at our bumps and falls on going to our rooms 
in the dark. I met, at my father's, several members of 
Fowler's battery, of Tuscaloosa, who at that time had never 
met the enemy, but, poor fellows, they saw enough of them 



CHATTANOOGA MOBILE. 105 

ere the "cruel war was over." They were nearly all musi- 
cians, which served to soften many of the asperities of camp 
life. 

A lady, Miss Groom, accompanied me back to Chatta- 
nooga. We went to Montgomery by the river, and our trans- 
portation tickets were for the cars, so we expected to pay on 
the steamer; but on Captain Finnegan hearing of our mission 
he would take no money. We met one of our wealthy plant- 
ers, Duke Goodman, and his wife. The latter showed me sev- 
eral homespun dresses made on her plantation. The colors 
were very prett}', the dye being made from bark and roots. 

The Alabama is a noble river and is remarkable for its 
high bluffs. Many of them tower hundreds of feet above the 
river. Before the war thousands of bales of cotton were trans- 
ported upon its waters to Mobile, and from thence to various 
parts of the world. 

We arrived at Selma too late to see a fine gunboat 
launched, but saw two others in the stocks. There was 
much government work done in Selma. We spent several 
hours in the city, and had a most delicious cup of tea from an 
old friend, Mrs. Dodgson. On missing the West Point train 
at Montgomery, we put up at the Exchange Hotel, one of the 
best in the South. We had a splendid dinner, for which we 
paid three dollars each. It being Sunday, we attended St. 
John's Church, and an old friend. Dr. Scott, a refugee from 
Florida, preached an excellent sermon. I never liked the 
idea of traveling on Sunday, but we concluded we could not 
afford to remain over until the morning, so started on our 
journey Sunday afternoon. Like many other evil doers, w^e 
were punished by arriving too late in Atlanta for the Chatta- 
nooga train. We put up at the Trout House and paid five 
dollars each. We had pleasant company in a Mrs. Turner and 
her brother, Mr. Davis — the latter going to join the army and 



106 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

the former to visit her husband, a doctor of the 7th Arkansas 
regiment. She paid fifty dollars for a hat worth about five in 
peace times. The brother had a very fine shawl stolen from 
the hall of the hotel, a great loss in such severe weather, espe- 
cially when undergoing camp life. 

We arrived in Chattanooga on February 10 and found a 
heavy fall of snow upon the ground. On visiting the wards I 
had to confess to myself that I had been away long enough to 
become completely demoralized. Before returning home I had 
been familiarized with the aspect of things, but after being 
away so long, the woe-begone look of the men and their dreary 
surroundings, made my heart sink within me. Some of our 
best nurses were then lying at the point of death. Blood 
poisoning from attending so many erysipelas cases was doing 
its deadly work. We had a ward near the river for all who 
were affected with this loathsome disease. In it was a Cap- 
tain DeGrafenried, who had been wounded at Murfreesboro. He 
was said to be one of the richest men in Tennessee. One of 
his men was nursing him. He also had one of his slaves 
waiting on him, who had been with him all through the war 
and was fairly devoted to his master. It did not take me 
long to get over my demoralization and feel I would not ex- 
change places with any one. 

At this time we had a number of wounded prisoners, and 
their wonder seemed to be how we could be so kind to them. 
On asking them what they would do on regaining their lib- 
erty, they invariably said they would do all they could to keep 
out of the war, and some said rather than fight against us 
they would go to Canada. 

During the spring of 1863 we had the same sad scenes to 
witness in the matter of sickness of all kinds. Too much 
rain, combined with bleak, cold weather, was the cause. Ty- 
phoid pneumonia was the prevailing disease. Mrs. William- 



CHATTANOOGA MOBILE. 107 

son and myself were kept busy attending to the domestic 
arrangements, and did not have time to attend to the men, as 
we would like to have done. 1 paid the wards two visits a 
day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and saw 
that the worst cases were properly cared for. When I found 
a man needing special spiritual sustenance, I told Mrs. Wil- 
liamson of his case, and she was never too busy to attend 
him. 

In one respect we lived as Sisters of Charity are said to 
live. We were up every morning before 4 o'clock and took a 
bath, ate our breakfast in our room, and then to our duties — 
Mrs. Williamson to prepare egg-nog and toddies, and I to pre- 
pare delicacies for the very ill. After the duties of the day 
were over, we wrote letters to the relatives of the soldiers ; at 
other times mended their clothes. Mrs. Williamson was up 
many a night until 12 o'clock working for her "dear boys." 

There was one martyr that I mention in my journal of 
whom I must say a few words here. His name was James 
Scott, 18 years of age, from Fayette county, Ala., and a mem- 
ber of the 41st Alabama regiment. He was brought into the 
hospital perfectly helpless, having accidentally broken his 
thigh while on the march to Kentucky. After lying on his 
back for four months, he was able to walk about the ward. 
He was then taken with pneumonia ; recovered from that, and 
then took diphtheria ; recovered, and died from erysipelas. 
His patience through all of his sufferings was marvelous, and 
he won the love of all who came near him. Dr. Hopping, as 
usual, was as kind to him as if he had been his own dear 
brother. I here insert what I said about his death in my 
journal : 

" His young life has been one of sorrows, but he trusted 
in Him who trod this vale of tears, and knew full well all this 
saint had to endure. 



108 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

" 'Calm on the bosom of tliy God, 

Younij spirit, rest tliee now, 
E'en while with us thy footsteps trod 

His seal was on thy brow. 

" 'Dust to its narrow place beneath, 

Soul to its place on hisih; 
They that have seen his look on earth 

No more may fear to die. 

" 'Lone are the paths and sad the bowers 

Whence thy meek smile is gone, 
But oh! a brighter home than ours 

In heaven is now thine own.' 

"May God comfort his poor, childless mother in her sad 
bereavement. This is the third son she has lost in this fratri- 
cidal conflict. If the other two died in the same faith and 
hope that this one did she has cause for rejoicing." 

About the middle of April Miss Groom's health giving 
away, she was compelled to return home. I went with her as 
far as Atlanta, and on my return found the train filled with 
troops going to reinforce Bragg's army. All along the route 
and at every station we passed, there were numbers of ladies 
with baskets full of flowers, which they threw to the soldiers, 
who hurrahed their tokens of appreciation. 

On the train I met a Mr. Richard, who had just been 
exiled from New Orleans. He told me of a banquet given 
some one of note in Montreal, Canada, and that while the 
Northern generals were ignored, Davis, Lee and Jackson were 
highly complimented. Was that not a breach of international 
law? 

As the Federal government would allow no medicines to 
be sent to us, we did the best we could without them. The 
doctors did not wish our deficiencies, in this respect, to be 
known. We got all of the milk, butter and eggs we could. 
We got plenty of whisky, but the vilest stuff that was ever 



CHATTANOOGA MOBILE. 109 

made. I improved it greatly by using it in making blackberry 
cordial. "We paid $2 a gallon for sweetmilk, $1 for buttermilk 
and $5 a dozen for eggs. 

I took several horseback rides to the top of Lookout 
mountain, where was enacted the famous " battle in the 
clouds," which was so disastrous to our troops. Its highest 
part is called the " Point of Rocks," and the view from it is 
perfectly magnificent. The Tennessee river winds around the 
base of the mountain, and from its various meanderings gives 
the landscape the appearance of islands, on which are 

"Deep waving fields and pastures green, 
With gentle slopes and groves between." 

There are many natural curiosities on it, but I never had 
time to visit them all. It is said that on a clear day, with a 
good glass, seven States can be seen from its summit. 

At one time I went with my friend, Mrs. Brewer, to a 
picnic given in honor of General McGowan. On reaching the 
top we were joined by two beautiful young ladies, the Misses 
Cox,* who were the mountain nymphs of this enchanting 
spot. We were quite a gay party, and forgot for awhile that 
our enemies, who were trying to drive us from this lovely 
place, were so near. Mrs. Colonel Whitesides was one of the 
party, and took us to a large hotel, which she owned, but it 
was then unoccupied. While seated on the Point of Rocks, I 
asked a gentleman if he thought a cannon ball, thrown from 
below, could reach us. He replied, " I do not think it is pos- 
sible for one to do so." 

In May a shadow fell over the entire South, in the fall of 
one of our brightest stars, General Jackson. No people ever 



*Some time after this, wlien the enemy was expected in Chattanooga, the father 
of these young ladies went further Soutli, and on crossing tlie Chattahoochee river 
one of the girls was drowned. 



110 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

had a grander champion in every respect. His meteor-like 
genius shed a luster on our armies that time cannot efface. 

"Is there one who hath thus through this orbit of life 

But at distance observed him, tliroiigh glory, through blame. 

In the calm of retreat, in the grandeur of strife, 
Whether shining or clouded, still high and same ? 

O no, not a heart that e'er knew him but mourns 
Deep, deep o'er the grave where such glory is shrined, 

O'er a monument Fame will preserve 'mong the urns 
Of the wisest, the bravest, the best of mankind." 

In the spring many new hospitals were erected, some 
large two-story buildings, others simply of tents, which were 
made very comfortable. Dr. Stout, our post-surgeon, left 
nothing undone to have everything in the hospitals for the 
comfort and well-being of the patients. There was at least 
one matron in each, and in ours, the Newsom, there were sev- 
eral. Quantities of lime were being used, and with the excep- 
tion of not having medicines and articles which were imported, 
I could not see how our hospitals could be better. 

About the end of May one of my patients, James Barstow, 
a native of Yorkshire, England, died. He was much grieved 
to think his people in England would not know of his fate 
and was much comforted when I told him I could send them 
a letter through the lines. Poor fellow, he breathed his last 
without informing me from what part of Yorkshire he came, 
so I could not fulfill my promise. He had a cousin from the 
same place, who died in the service. Pie left $100, which he 
gave to his nurse. We took some of it and put a head-board 
at his grave, on which was inscribed: 

TO THE MEMORY OF 

JAMES BARSTOW, 

7th Arkansas Regiment. 

horn in yorkshire, england, 



CHATTANOOGA MOBILE. Ill 



died of typhoid fever in 

Chattanooga, Tenn., 

May 19, 1863. 

Aged 22 Years. 

On the last of May we were all much shocked at the 
murder of one of our best surgeons. Dr. Thornton. He had 
charge of the distributing hospital. A few days before the 
tragedy I visited the hospital, and such was the vigilance at 
that time, that the guard would not permit me to enter with- 
out a pass. Dr. Thornton very kindly gave me one to go and 
come whenever I wished. The doctor and his wife lived in a 
small house near the hospital, and two of our nurses (Irish- 
men) went to the house in the middle of the night thinking 
it a saloon and demanded whiskey. The doctor ordered them 
off rather roughly, when one of them turned and stabbed him 
so severely that he died in a half an hour. The men weie 
both good, kind nurses, and I am sure, would never have com- 
mitted such a foul deed, had they not been intoxicated. 

The beginning of June found us preparing for a battle. 
Hundreds of sick men were sent from the fiont— a sure sign. 
Erysipelas was proving very fatal. The doctors thought the 
air was full of it. Two fine looking white girls we had hired 
took it very badly from having had their ears bored for ear- 
rings. 

On June 24 (St. John the Baptist Day), the Masons' anni- 
versarj?^, the country people gave our troops a grand picnic, 
and while in the midst of their festivities, they were surprised 
by the enemy and sustained quite a loss. Our army made a 
hasty retreat, and as usual, we had the same sickening scenes 
in the hospital — men mutilated in every possible way. In one 
place I saw three men lying side by side, each had a leg am- 
putated. But why repeat these heartrending scenes ? May I 



112 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

not hope that having the horrors ot war brought in review be- 
fore us, we may not be so ready in plunging into it. 

My brother had gotten a furlough and gone home, and I 
was congratulating myself that he would miss the retreat, 
when to my surprise, he returned before his furlough was out, 
and said : " I could not think of missing a fight." I did all I 
could to get him to remain in Chattanooga until we knew 
what the army was going to do, but to no purpose. He went 
and met the army running (or retreating^ as it is called), and 
raced with it for nearly twelve days. On his return, when I be- 
held his woe-begone appearance, I could scarcely repress the 
tears. Having had a horse, he was much better off than thous- 
ands of our poor fellows who were on foot. As soon as he came 
into my room he exclaimed : " This retreat was worse than the 
one from Corinth ; and I would not care, if Bragg had only let 
us fight, for I know we would have whipped the Yankees !" 
I heard many of the men say the same thing, as all seemed 
eager to fight, but Bragg knew best. Poor man, he was more 
abused than ever ; but those v/ho seemed to know, said he was 
confronted by too large an army to risk a battle. 

Chattanooga soon had the appearance of Corinth ; troops 
coming and going, wagons hurrying past, and everything else 
pertaining to a large army. The noise being very bad for the 
patients, the streets near us were barricaded. As it was 
rumored that the city was to be held at all hazards, and our 
hospital being near the river, we were in daily expectation of 
having a shell thrown into it ; at present it was riddled with 
balls from previous fighting. On this account every man in 
the hospital was sent off, and for a week or two, Mrs. Wil- 
liamson and myself were idle— "waiting orders." We spent 
the time in visiting our kind friends of Chattanooga. We 
also paid a farewell visit to the soldiers' grave yard, that hal- 
lowed spot where repose the dust of men from nearly every 



CHATTANOOGA MOBILE. 113 

State in the South. At the head of each grave was a small 
wooden headboard, numbered. But it matters little that no 
marble monument was there, for 

" What hallows ground where heroes sleep ? 
'Tis not the sculptured piles you heap! " 

ISTo ! 'tis a nation's tears which makes their resting spot 
sacred, and they shall never be forgotten by a grateful country. 

I rode out to the encampment of the 24th Alabama regi- 
ment, in which had been a number of Mobilians whom I had 
known for years. Alas ! how the sight of their camp sad- 
dened me, for they were a forlorn looking set of men. The 
only covering they had from the weather was their blankets 
put upon poles some three feet high. There were a few tents 
for the commissary stores and other things. I saw this regi- 
ment as it embarked for the army — a full regiment arrayed in 
gorgeous attire — but at the time of which I write few of its 
original number answered to the roll call. 

When Mrs. Williamson and I visited the graveyard we 
returned by the way of the river, and the scene along its 
banks was truly enchanting, and reminded me of Scott's de- 
scription of Loch Katrine in the " Lady of the Lake : " 

"Xot Katrine in her mirror blue 

Gives back the shaggy banks more true" 

than does the Tennessee the rugged hills guarding its placid 
waters. We saw many of our men at work upon the fortifi- 
cations. They were cheerful and seemed in fine health. 
They had no faith in their work, and said they would not be 
at all surprised if ordered from Chattanooga. 

The next day I made the acquaintance of Dr. Quintard, 
now Bishop of Tennessee, then one of the principal chaplains 
of Bragg's army. He appointed Mrs. Whitesides and myself 
a committee to collect money to repair the Episcopal church, 



114 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

which was in a most dilapidated condition. We were not long 
in procuring all necessary funds, and in a' short time the 
church was much improved. The readiness with which every- 
one gave us the money showed that no one thought the place 
was to be given up very soon. 

On July 19 Dr. Quintard preached a fine sermon from the 
text, " We are journeying into the land which the Lord hath 
said I will give it you." Certainly a very appropriate text 
for the time, for I am sure there were few there who were 
not sojourners in a strange land. The church was densely 
crowded, and I think every general in the army was there. In 
the afternoon Rev. Dr. Cannon, one of our surgeons, preached 
from the text, " There is a rest for the people of God," which 
was a fine sequel to the one in the morning. 

Mrs. Williamson and I were to leave the Newsom Hos- 
pital and go to Kingston, Ga., with Dr. Hopping. Dr. Hunter, 
with the other ladies, was to go Cleveland, Tenn. As all of 
our hospital furniture had been sent off, we were very kindly 
entertained at the house of Dr. Taylor, a surgeon in the army. 
A friend, Mrs. Hodges, was keeping house for him. 

I took supper at Mr. Corbin's, the father of Mrs. Dr. Fry, 
and had music and a delightful evening. I spent another 
with Mrs. Colonel Whitesides, who had a lovely family, and as 
she had several visiting friends, we had quite a musical treat. 
All were calmly waiting events. The last time I saw Mrs. 
Brewer she was packing to migrate South, as Mr. Brewer 
said he had no faith in General Bragg's throwing up breast- 
works. 



CHAPTER IX. 



KlNGSTO^r CHEROKEE SPRINGS. 



On July 22 we arrived at Kingston, Ga., and put up at a 
hotel, where we paid $3 each for a night's lodging and break- 
fast. It is quite a small place, about sixty miles north of At- 
lanta, and twenty miles from Rome, to which town there is a 
branch railroad. 

As usual, on going to a new place, new trials awaited us. 
The surgeon in charge, Dr. A vent, was a fine old gentleman, 
but very peculiar. He was not long in informing us that he 
did not approve of ladies in a hospital. That assertion was 
nothing new from a doctor, but we were a little taken aback 
at being informed so bluntly. He then gave us his reason, 
which was that the accommodations were not good enough. 
We assured him that we were above caring for those things, 
and were good soldiers used to hardships. At their earnest 
request we had taken two very poor, ignorant white girls with 
us as servants. The doctor told us that they could not remain 
in the hospital in the capacity of servants, as he was going to 
have negro servants, and it was against his principles to have 
white and black on an equality. The next order was that 
Mrs. Williamson, the two girls and myself were to eat at the 
officers' table. The two poor girls begged hard against this, 
but had to submit, as, according to army rules, they must 
obey orders. This plan of eating at the doctors' table was of 
short duration, as Dr. Avent soon found out it was a breach 
of military regulations. 



116 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

The hospital was made up of old stores and dilapidated 
old buildings, which entailed much work in renovating. As 
all of our cooks were ignorant negro field hands, we had much 
trouble with them. Dr. Avent said cooking was beneath the 
dignity of our men, so on no account would he permit them 
to help us. We had no wash-house, and on asking for one, the 
doctor said : " My mother and grandmother never had any 
but the canopy of heaven for theirs, and I do not see the use 
of any other." In vain we protested, telling him that a hos- 
pital was not a private home, and the soiled clothes must have 
a shelter from the rain ; but in this, as in everything else he or- 
dered, he was inflexible. The hospital soon filled with pa- 
tients, and our cooks all took sick, the two white girls besides* 
The doctor still being unwilling to let the men assist, we con- 
cluded to leave, as we found it impossible to get along with 
one who had such unbounded faith in his progenitors. 

With us was a young lady, Miss Ellis, whose family lived 
in Rome, so, before leaving Kingston, I took a trip with her to 
that city to do some shopping. It is a beautiful place, and at 
that time, was famous for having had, like its ancient name- 
sake, a conquering hero enter it in triumph. Forrest had cap- 
tured a large raiding party, and in so doing, had gained the 
fervent gratitude of its citizens. I was told that when he en- 
tered the city with his prisoners, his pathway and that of his 
gallant troops, were strewn with flowers. 

The people were then in daily expectation of another 
raid, and having no troops to defend the city, would be at the 
mercy of the enemy. The many hospitals were being removed 
to other places, which was suspicious. I bought a calico dress 
for $3.00 a yard, and a homespun for 11.75. 

I went to Chattanooga and called upon Dr. Stout, the 
the chief post-surgeon of Bragg's army, who received me 
very kindly. He complimented the ladies for what they were 



KINGSTON — CHEROKEE SPRINGS. 117 

doing in the good cause, and said no hospital was complete 
without them. I told him I was surprised to hear him speak 
thus, as I had been told he did not approve of ladies in that 
capacity. He said he knew how he got that name. While in 
charge of hospitals in Nashville, the ladies had interfered with 
him so much he had to forbid their coming; but when they 
attended to their own duties, and not the doctor's, there was 
no end to the good they could accomplish. He informed me 
of a place he was certain would suit us, so we resolved to give 
it a trial. I had become disgusted with the service, and so de- 
moralized that I had almost resolved to return home. 

August 12 found Mrs. Williamson and I on our way to 
our new home, Cherokee Springs. We met Dr. Quintard on 
the train, who said much about having a sisterhood in the 
Episcopal church. He wished to know if our sun-bonnets 
were our uniforms. We told him we had never worn a uni- 
form, but had made it a rule to wear the simplest kind of 
clothes in the hospital, as any other was sadly out of place. 
We met an old friend. Dr. P. Thornton, and General Hind- 
man, the latter being on his way to rejoin the army. He told 
me he was proud to say he was of Scotch descent, his fore- 
fathers having fought for Prince Charlie at the battle of Cul- 
loden, and they had been exiled to this country for so doing. 
The general was named after that disastrous battle. Our 
destination being a watering place a few miles from Binggold, 
we alighted at the latter place, and were met at the depot by 
Dr. Gamble, the post-surgeon, and Dr. Gore, friends of Di'. 
Quintard, who introduced us. We were sent in a wagon to 
our new home, accompanied by Colonel Gaither, of Kentucky. 

We were not long at this delightful spot until we found 
out we had made an exchange for the better. In giving a 
description of the place, I think I cannot do better than by 
quoting from my journal. Before doing so I shall make a few 



118 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

remarks about doctors and their rights. We had heard so 
much about their dislike to liaving ladies in the hospitals, 
that Mrs. Williamson and I always made it a rule never 
to interfere with their prerogatives, knowing that the pa- 
tients were really under their care and not ours. As a rule, 
on first entering a hospital, the doctors wore an expression 
of " No woman shall dictate to me," so we were most defer- 
ential to their opinions; and after awhile the expression 
changed to " Do as you please, you know best," which was 
invariably said. This was our diplomacy, and certainly it 
was wise. 

It was almost dark when we reached our destination. We 
were kindly received by the surgeon. Dr. Bemiss, who in- 
formed us we could have our meals brought to our rooms or eat 
at the officers' table. We were very much surprised when a 
very polite young soldier came and asked us, just as is done 
in a hotel, what we would have for supper. I could not keep 
from laughing, and said, " I did not know there was any 
choice in a hospital." He answered that he wished to know 
whether we would have tea or coffee, as supper being over, it 
would have to be prepared. In the morning the same young 
man came and asked us if we would go to the officers' table 
or have our meals brought to us. We chose the former, think- 
ing it would save trouble. At tbe table we found officers of 
all ranks, among them a Corinth friend, Dr. Devine. 

The house we occupied was a long frame building, such 
as is used at watering places for summer use. It had a hall 
in the center, with rooms each side. Dr. Bemiss called early 
in the morning and showed us all through the place, which 
being large, took up some time. The hospital covered about 
thirty acres of ground in a valley abounding in mineral 
springs. The whole was one of the most lovely spots I ever 
beheld, and put me in mind of a picture I have of the "Dream of 



KIXGSTOX — CHEROKEK SPRINGS. 119 

Arcadia." All around wore an air of tranquility, and if sick 
men could recuperate at any place, they would there. There 
were three wards, accommodating five hundred patients, in 
tents, very tastefully arranged. Each ward was separated by 
a lane, shaded by magnificent trees. At this time there were 
a few bad chronic cases, sent for the benefit of the mineral 
water. 

As we had never been in a hospital of the kind, we were 
uncertain as to how we should like it, for it is most depress- 
ing to see men linger from day to day with no apparent 
change. It used to make us quite melancholy, and I have 
known it to have the same effect upon the doctors. Dr. 
Bemiss' manner to the patients was that which a kind father 
manifests to his children. We came to one man who had been 
very ill, and nothing could be gotten that he would eat. He 
wished a certain kind of corncake, and no one seemed to know 
what he meant. We understood right off that he wished corn 
meal battercakes, which were made immediately, and he ate 
them with a relish. 

Each ward had a small house attached to it; in one were 
the lowest patients and in another the linen and ironing room, 
where a man had charge, besides a woman to do the ironing 
and mending. The patients and attendants had their washing 
done in the main hospital. The wash house had nothing but 
, the "canopy of heaven " and some fine shade trees for a cov- 
ering, but there were tents in which to put the clothes in case 
of rain. Near the wash house was a "branch," which supplied 
water for washing and a bath house. The bed spreads being 
made of cotton in its original color, there was a dye house 
where they could be colored; there was also a quilting room, 
in which quilts were made, and all was under the supervision 
of the man who had charge of the linen department. 

Everything was so systematically arranged that Mrs. W. 



120 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

and myself had time to visit the patients oftener, and talk and 
read to them — something we had never been able to do as 
much as we wished. Our duties were to see that the sick got 
the food ordered for them, and to take special care of the worst 
cases. 

In this excellent establishment there were a fine bakery 
and a large kitchen, where cooking was done for the convales- 
cents. There was also a large dining room in connection with 
the above. A horn was blown to call the men to their meals, 
and the reverberation through the woods was so musical and 
romantic, that it put me in mind of what I had read of in old 
feudal times. We visited the kitchen where the diet for the 
very sick was prepared. It contained four stoves, as many 
cooks, and a chief cook, who took charge of evei'ything. Two 
hundred and fifty patients were fed every day from this 
kitchen, besides the convalescent ofiBcers. Though the latter 
had a separate table, theii' diet was the same as the privates 
The chief cook saw that each nurse was provided with what 
was prescribed on the diet list lor the patients. The doctoi's 
put on their books what kind of diet the patients were to get, 
which was copied by the head nurse in the different wards and 
handed to the steward, who then made a register of the num- 
ber of men. • 

Dr. Bemiss had come up to Dr. Stout's standard, viz : in 
having the hospital as well supplied as any hotel in the South.. 
There were plenty of fowls, vegetables and fruits ; but one 
very important article — milk, was lacking; although the doc- 
tor said he yet intended to have cows. 

We thought we had seen all of this excellent hospital; but 
we were mistaken, for it had a large reading room well sup- 
plied with books and papers. The chaplain. Rev. Mr. Green, 
had a chapel made out of the boughs of trees, and we had 
preaching every Sunday. We were unbounded in our admir- 



KINGSTON CHEROKEE SPRINGS. 121 



ation for this delightful hospital, but Dr. Bemiss informed us 
that there was a better one at Catoosa Springs, a few miles 
distant, presided over by Dr. Foster, whose wife and nieces 
were matrons. 

General Bragg was then an inmate of our hospital, but he 
and his wife were the guests of Dr. Gamble and wife, who oc- 
cupied a house near by. 

On August 16 Dr. Quintard preached twice under a large 
oak tree, as the chapel was not quite finished. In the morning 
his text was, by request, the same one I had heard him preach 
from in Chattanooga : " We are journeying on to the place 
which the Lord hath said I will give it you." As the text was 
taken from Numbers, a history of the wanderings of the chil- 
dren of Israel, a more appropriate one for the scene before us, 
could not have been chosen. There we were — w^anderers 
pitching our tents ; we could not tell for how long. The prin- 
cipal part of the congregation was composed of men, wearied 
and worn from disease and hardships ; soldiers who had 
borne the brunt of many a hard fought battle ; the white tents 
in the distance, and God's messenger delivering His com- 
mands, as did Moses to the children of Israel in the wilder- 
ness, could not but be an impressive scene. Oh ! how earn- 
estly I prayed that we, having the history of that unhappy peo- 
ple before us, might not forget the Lord our God and be cast as 
wanderers over the earth. Mrs. Gamble, Mrs. Bragg and I, 
raised the tunes, but in the evening Dr. Quintard did not give 
us the chance, as he raised them himself. I could not see how he 
could hold services in the evening as we had no lights, but I 
was not long in finding out. He omitted that part of the ser- 
vice in which the congregation joins, and read out the lines of 
the Psalms and hymns like a good Methodist. 

General Bragg attended the service, and is a member of 
the church. He left nothing undone to have Christianity dif- 



122 GLKAXINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

fused in the army. He was in very bad liealtli, whicli was no 
doubt partly caused from being so much harrassed. Mrs. 
Bragg was also in bad health, and both were being treated in 
the hospital. She is a high-toned, lady-like person, and much 
devoted to the general. It was said that she worried a good 
deal about the trials of the army, and when a soldier was to 
be punished for desertion or any other cause, she pleaded most 
pathetically for him. 

We had three assistant surgeons, Drs. Bateman, Ray and 
Devine, who were all kind and attentive physicians. 

The young soldier who was so attentive to us the first 
evening we came was named Frank Laws, of Kentucky. He 
was a most excellent young man, and was a member of the 
Episcopal church. He and, I believe, two of his brothers were 
killed ere the war closed. 

One of our patients was a Lieutenant Griffin, of Texas, 
who lost a foot in the battle of Murfreesboro. He was as 
cheerful as if he had met with no loss whatever. Before com- 
ing here he had been in the same hospital with Mrs. Newsom, 
and was unbounded in her praise. 

On August 21, being fast day, we had service in our new 
chapel, and Mr. Green preached an excellent sermon from the 
text, " Rend your heart and not your garments." He quoted a 
poem, which I thought exactly suited the times. It commenced : 

"We are living, we are dwelling 

In a grand and awful time, 
In an age on ages telling 

To be living is sublime." 

As General Bragg was leaving the church, he received a 
dispatch informing him, I believe, that the enemy had made 
an attack on Chattanooga, though we did not know at the time 
what it was. I afterward received a letter from Dr. Burt, who 
was in Chattanooga when it was shelled. He said that no 



KINGSTON CHEROKEE SPRINGS. 123 

warning was given, and the scene oi: the women and children 
running for shelter in the woods was heartrending. Hundreds 
fled without shelter of any kind. 

All of our doctors messed together, and one day they 
gave a dinner party, and Mrs. Williamson and I were guests. 
After dinner we had a pleasant time looking at some books 
and papers, which had just run the blockade from England, 
and had been presented to the hospital by Rev. Mr. Bryson, a 
Presbyterian minister. Mr. and Mrs. Green were of the 
party. Mrs. Green was a bride, and had just come from Co- 
lumbia, S. C, where her father was president of a college. She 
was a sister-in-law of Kev. Dr. Palmer, who had been exiled 
from New Orleans because he would not take the oath. The 
doctor paid us a visit, having been driven out of Chattanooga 
by the enemy's shells. It was said that while holding service 
several of the shells struck the church, and he went on with 
his sermon as if nothing was the matter. 

As I wish to speak of several subjects which give a his- 
tory of the times, 1 cannot do better than copy from my 
journal : I noticed a letter in the Mobile Advertiser and Reg- 
ister of August 29, written in Virginia. I was not a little sur- 
prised when the writer says that he heard the people of the 
Southwest were speaking of submission. I can tell him from 
what I have seen that such a thing has not been breathed. 
Chattanooga was called a Union place, but I heard nothing of 
it even there. He has made a still greater mistake if he 
means the soldiers. I have seen hundreds of them sick, 
ragged, hungry and worn out with fatigue, and not one word 
of submission, only angry when not allowed to fight. Some 
of the Tennesseans, while passing their homes, deserted, but 
all returned more resolute than ever to fight to the death : 

"To prevail in the cause that is dearer than life, 
Or crushed in its ruins to die." 



124 GLEASriNGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

I am proud of what this correspondent says about old 
Virginia, that her armies are determined to fight till the last 
foe is driven from her soil. I certainly should have been 
much surprised had anything else been said. 

In the paper of August 30 are letters from two ladies, 
who 1 hope, are acting up to the spirit in which they write, and 
leading others to do the same. One is from a lady in Missis- 
sippi, who signs herself " Sylvia;" the other signs herself ^<- An 
Alabama Woman." The first is a call to the women of Mis- 
sissippi to abstain from all festivities, and above all things, to 
give no countenance to the " stay-at-homes," who dress up 
with "gilt lace and brass buttons." When the war broke out 
I thought that the women in every State appreciated the truly 
noble too much to require such an appeal. But alas ! not all 
the recitals of the more than human endurance of our brave 
troops, have been able to deter our women from the festal 
hall. The sound of the viol is heard as much as it was ere 
dread war held high carnival in every State of our beloved 
land. We forget that every step we take " gives back a coffin's 
hollow groan," and every strain of music "wafts forth a dying 
soldier's moan." Paying respect to the brass buttons, is but 
the natural consequence of the first fault, for we all know 
there could be no festivities among ladies alone, and as all of 
our patriots are in the field, none but the "gilt lace gentry '' 
are left. If every young lady, not only in Mississippi, but 
every other State, were to treat the " home chivalry," with 
the scorn and contempt this writer appears to have for them, 
it would not be long before every able bodied man would be in 
the field. 

The Alabama woman's letter is headed with the late ap- 
peal of our President, calling upon the women of the South 
to do their duty at all hazards. It treats pretty much of the 
same subject as the Mississippi lady's, and also of a few other 



KINGSTON — fUEROKEE SPRINGS. 125 

evils which are the curse of our land. When she comes down 
on extortioners and speculators, I can echo her sentiments 
with all my heart, but when she says none but native South- 
erners should fill offices, I must beg leave to differ. If all of 
the native Southerners, who, when the war was inaugurated, 
wore blue badges and cried " secession and war to the knife," 
had come forward as we know foreingers to have done, we 
would not be in need of the late earnest appeal of our beloved 
President for men, and I do not only think it bad taste, but 
unfeeling in any of our people, to draw distinctions at this 
time, when nearly all of those foreigners living amongst us, 
have poured out their best blood in defense of the South. The 
next against whom this lady's anger is aroused, are the sur- 
geons, nurses and chaplains. I wonder how much she knows 
about any of them? I am certain, as a rule, we have not more 
patriotic and devoted men to the cause than our surgeons- 
And I cannot say enough in praise of our nurses. They are 
patient, kind, and as good nurses as they know how to be ; not 
one of them able for field service. But this Alabama woman 
says they must all go to the front. In giving her opinion in this 
manner, she speaks as most men say we women do — without 
reason. 

What shall we do with our sick and wounded, if all of the 
surgeons and nurses are sent to the front? 

He must be a shrewd doctor, who in trying to save his 
nurses, deceives the examining boards, who are constantly 
coming around and taking our best nurses, after being initi- 
ated into the mysteries of nursing. I have felt indignant 
many times, when I have heard these brave, patriotic men, 
many of them maimed in the defence of their country, called 
by the ignominious name of " hospital rats." 

Having seen but few chaplains, I can say but little about 
them. I have thought many a time that our government was 



126 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

very remiss in not providing them. The Newsom. hospital had 
accommodations for seven hundred patients and the requisite 
number of attendants. Surely such an establishment should 
have at least one chaplain, and work enough for him to do 
without taking the " sword of Gideon," as this lady says he 
should. Many a time have I wished for one, when our dying 
soldiers wanted to hear about the Great Physician. Had it 
not been for the saintly Mrs. Williamson, talking and pray- 
ing with them, we would have been badly off indeed. This is 
the first hospital we have been in where there was one at- 
tached to it, and he does not appear to have much idle time. 

The first part of the letter, taken as a whole, I rather 
like, but the conclusion is not rational. With such ultra views 
upon any subject, there is apt to be a reaction, and the reverse 
feeling exhibited. This lady calls upon the men, women and 
children to come forward, like Koman Curtius of old, willing 
to offer heart, soul and body upon the shrine of liberty; and to 
come, though we stumble over the dead bodies of those we 
love, and though vultures prey upon the blood-smeared faces 
in our path, and our streams ofier only a crimson, surging flood 
to slake our thirst. She calls upon us to rise, waving our 
battle flags over these horrors and the graves of the unknown 
dead, and says : "Our enemy's offer is only submission ; join 
me in this vow: 'Though I stand the last stricken child of 
the Confederacy, by the blood that cries out from our reeking 
sod, and the skeletons that fill each holy mound, the strong 
hand closed in death ; each darkened home and broken heart; 
each pang of hunger, throb of pain and every dying sigh — in 
the name of the eternal God — never ! ' " 

Now I do not think that even to save the country, dear 
though it be to us, that there are any in it who could stand to 
see vultures eating the slain, or touch the water colored with 
their blood. If we only do our duty, as the President has set 



KINGSTON CHEROKEE SPRINGS. 127 

it before us, there will be no need of waving flags over the 
horrors the writer has pictured, I do not think we have any 
right to take an oath we are not certain we can keep, and none 
of us can tell what a day may bring forth. The foe, with his 
immense armies, may prevail, and for the very sins the writer 
enumerates, the Lord may permit us to be subjugated. I am 
not for one moment thinking that such will be the case, but 
we are certain of nothing that is in the future. Well, should 
such a calamity befall us, and we feel we have done our whole 
duty, we shall have to bear it, hard as it appears just now, 
knowing it will be the Lord's doing. 

There is one very important item in this Alabama 
woman's letter about which I must say something. She says, 
"Let the women go into the hospitals." Now she comes to 
woman's true sphere. In war the men to fight and the women 
to nurse the sick and wounded, are words I have already 
quoted. I have no patience with women whom I hear telling 
what wonders they would do if they were men, when I see so 
much of their legitimate work left undone. Ladies can be of 
much service in the hospitals. I have heard surgeons say if 
they could get the right kind they would have them in almost 
every department. All have not the gift of nursing, but there 
are few who cannot do housekeeping, and there is much of 
that to be done in a hospital. A woman's respectability must 
be at a low ebb if it can be endangered by going into a hos- 
pital. I have waited upon the soldiers of our army in hos- 
pitals and out of them, and in all sincerity I can say that I have 
never heard one word spoken or seen one act at which the 
most refined woman could take offence. This deference to 
women was more than I expected, for knowing that the army 
was composed of the lowest as well as the highest, I thought 
some of them might be void of delicacy. 

I cannot tell whether our army is an exception to others 



128 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

or not, but about it I can say, as regards real native refine- 
ment, that which all the teachings of Chesterfield cannot give, 
a more perfect array of gentlemen are not to be found any- 
where. I know nothing of what they are in camp, but as I 
have found them. 

Mrs. General Patten Anderson was in our hospital with a 
very sick boy, who came for the benefit of the water. As she 
was in the same house with us, we were a good deal together. 
She is a lovely and refined Christian lady — a fitting partner 
for her noble husband. 

In retrospect now my wonder is that we had any life or 
spirit to accomplish anything. Here we were in one of the 
most lovely spots in the world, with everything arranged in 
perfect order and our patients improving, when word came 
that the enemy were about to pounce upon us, and orders 
were issued to pack up and leave. So I shall again have re- 
course to my journal in describing our "falling back," or re- 
treating : 

Sunday, September 6. — Since writing in my journal a sad 
change has come o'er the spirit of my dreams ; what but a few 
hours ago was a scene of peace and comfort has disappeared, 
and in its place — vacancy. In the afternoon we had service 
in our romantic, druidical chapel, and when over, starting on 
my rounds to visit the patients, I met Dr. Ray giving orders 
to pack up immediately, as a raid was expected every mo- 
ment. 

The first thing done was to send off the sick and have 
them properly cared for, and then the tents were lowered to 
the ground as if by magic. In a few hours after the order 
was given nearly everything was packed up and sent to the 
depot, some two miles distant. All of our bedding has gone, 
and we shall have to rest for the night as best we can. But 
as we are compelled to remain until the morning, the fear of 



KINGSTON CHEROKEiS SPRINGS. 129 

being captured by the " blue coats " will keep us awake. If 
we escape capture we shall be truly thankful. 

We have Lieutenant Payne, Dr. Mitchell and a Mr. Green 
very ill. The latter we shall be compelled to leave, as he is in 
a dying state, and the doctors think he might die on the road. 
His nurse is much alarmed, for fear he will be captured. Hav- 
ing been once a prisoner, he shudders at the thought of again 
being in the hands of the enemy. 

September 7. — We arrived at Dalton today, and expect to 
be detained all night. I must say this move has not made me 
any the better Christian, for I certainly love our enemies less 
than ever. 

There are numerous trains with us, which contain all the 
patients, attendants and furniture from our hospital and that 
of Ringgold as well. I am in a box car, in which are twenty- 
five persons, besides bedding, trunks, tables, chairs, etc. 

Our journey from the Springs was a laughable one. We 
had two wagons; one was filled with baggage piled several 
feet above the sides, and on top of all were seated Mrs. An- 
derson, her two children, and Mrs. Williamson. I tried the 
same elevation, but the sudden rise made me nervous, and 
fearful of a chilling downfall into one of the brooks I knew 
we had to cross, I begged and secured permission to be taken 

into the other wagon. It contained Miss S , Lieutenant 

Payne and Dr. Mitchell, our patients, who were both upon 
mattresses. 

On leaving this beautiful place, and being so ignomini- 

ously driven from it, as we were, I could not help thinking of 

her, who was the primitive cause, of all our woe, at the time 

she left the garden of Eden. 1 do not presume to think the 

spot was like that garden, which Milton has portrayed so 

beautifully, a place 

" Where gods might dwell 
Or wander with delight," 



130 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

but it was a lovely spot, and came as near it as any other in 
this sin-stricken world. I had not, like Eve, '' hoped to spend 
the respite of my days " there, but did think we would be per- 
mitted to remain a little longer, and could not " patiently re- 
sign" what so unjustly we had lost. Lieutenant Payne was 
raised up, and as he "cast one long, lingering look behind," he 
-exclaimed: " O how beautiful ! Is it not hard to be driven 
from it as we are ? " 

September 8. — We were detained at Daiton all night, and 
as we did not know the moment we would leave, we could not 
get off to visit friends there. I do not think I shall ever for- 
get the discomforts of that night, crowded as we were together- 
Mrs. Williamson, who is not very well, managed to get on 
some of the bedding along with several other ladies. The 
wife and two daughters of Dr. Cross sat upright upon chaiis 
all night long. Drs. Bemiss and Gore did the same. Mrs. Gen- 
eral Anderson, her three children and myselt, had a space 
about four or five feet square on the floor. Mrs A. spread a 
comfort, on which she placed her children, and sat down 
alongside of them. I managed to get my head upon my 
valise near the door, and was so delighted at getting some fresh 
air, that I exclaimed : " Oh, this is so nice ! " Avhich brought 
a hearty laugh from Dr. Gore, who said he was glad that I 
was so much pleased. After awhile, I managed to get my feet 
under a table, and every time I moved, Mrs. A. said I was tak- 
ing part of her children's bed. We had many a laugh at our 
novel positions, and it was a blessing we could be mirthful, as 
our discomforts were many. 

At Tunnel Hill we saw several new hospitals, which had 
the appearance of a village. They doubtless will have to 
" fall back " like the rest, as all we passed at other places 
were on the move. Many prophesied all kinds of evils from 
our move and denounced General Bragg. Mrs. A. very stoutly 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 131 



defended him, and said lier husband had every confidence in 
him. She related several amusing anecdotes in regard to 
private opinion publicly expressed about our generals. At 
one time, she sat quietly by and heard two ladies discuss the 
merits and demerits of her husband. They spoke so highly 
of him that each wished to claim him as being a native of her 
respective State. Mrs. A. was more fortunate than most of 
our generals' wives would have been, for our commanders do 
not receive much of what St. Paul says is the greatest of all 
Christian graces, but as the least abused man is our com- 
mander-in-chief, his subordinates need not mind. I have 
heard some say that General Bragg has shown more patriotism 
by braving all slanders, than anything else he has done. This 
is a free country, and at this time, when we are not at liberty 
to act as we please, it is a sweet revenge to use that unruly 
member, which we are told to keep in restraint. 

The nurses are out doors making coffee for patients, many 
of ^vhom have suffered on the retreat. Lieutenant Paine is 
quite ill and we gave him some cordial which did him much 
good. 



CHAPTER X. 

ATLANTA NEWISTAN. 

We arrived at Atlanta late on the afternoon of the 8th, 
weary and worn out in body and mind ; but, as it is said, mis- 
ery loves company, so if true, we had much to console us. 
We met numbers of families — refugees — near the depot, in 
tents and old cars, and all had a woe-begone, forlorn appear- 
ance. We also found the. city full of the "gilt lace gentry " — 
the precursors of a battle, so it was said. 

We put up at the Atlanta Hotel, where we found several 
of our friends whom the shells of Chattanooga had forced to 
" retreat " and find safer quarters. Major Proctor and Dr. 
Young, of Kentucky, were very low-spirited, as their chances 
to reach their homes were very far oft". They blamed Bragg 
for leaving Kentucky, and said he had no good reasons for so 
doing; but that evening all of their indignation was aroused 
against the speculators and extortioners, and it was not much 
wonder. These men had left home and friends to fight for the 
cause, and could have little charity for those who could make 
money out of it. Dr. Young said our money was moi-e depre- 
ciated in Atlanta than in any other part of the Confederacy, 
and remarked: "If the Confederacy should fall, I would 
think it an honor to sink with the money in my pocket, rather 
than to have made my thousands." 

We arrived at Newnan, which is forty miles below At- 
lanta, on the morning of the 9th, and tried to enter upon our 
duties with some zest, though the task was a hard one. In 
the first place, we were informed that the people were opposed 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 133 



to having hospitals there. This was neither Christian nor pa- 
triotic, and astonished us not a little. There were other dis- 
agreeable things told us, which we resolved not to heed. 
Until abodes could be procured for us, we remained at a hotel, 
the Coweta House, kept by Colonel Colyar, who had been a 
member of Congress from Tennessee. We found him and his 
excellent wife high-toned Southerners, and though driven 
from their homes and losing their all, were never heard to 
complain. 

After a good deal of roaming around. Dr. Gamble and his 
surgeons found accommodations for about a thousand patients. 
Nearly every store and every large building, excepting the 
churches, were "pressed" into the service. They looked at a 
large building, a young ladies' college, but did not take it. 
Dr. Bemiss said to the principal : "As our young men are all 
in the army, and cannot go to school, the girls must be edu- 
cated, so the men can have educated wives ; therefore we shall 
not take the college." 

The men worked as cheerfully as if there never had been 
such a thing as a " retreat," and it was not long ere we had 
very good order. We could scarcely realize we had been run- 
ning for " dear life " for several days. 

Mrs. Williamson and myself determined to try and not 
think too much of the place or anything belonging to it, for if 
we did we would be certain to make another "retreat." We 
would gladly have given up a palace could we have driven the 
enemy back, but so far he had been trying to drive us into the 
Gulf of Mexico. Surely there would be a turning to our lane 
sometime, at least we hoped so. It was not long before we 
had the hospitals filled with hundreds of sick sent from the 
front, a sure sign of a battle. 

As I am going to give my experience of the battle of 
Chiekamauga, I shall again refer to my journal : 



134 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

September 19. — We have received news that a battle has 
commenced. A number of surgeons here have been ordered 
to the front, and Drs. Ray and Bateman have gone from our 
hospitah On hearing of the commencement of a battle a 
thrill of horror creeps over me at the very thought of it. We 
all feel assured that this will be a desperate one, as both 
armies have been some time collecting all the men they could for 
the conflict. Many a gallant spirit will wing its flight to that 
land from which there is no return. But these gloomy 
thoughts must be dismissed, as they make us unfit for our 
duties. The ladies of the place, with a few exceptions, have 
not come near us. A Mrs. Johnston, a widow, has been very 
kind, and has assisted us in procuring milk. 

September 26. — A great battle was fought on the 19th 
and 20th at" Cliickamauga River — a victory for us. Alas! 
what visions of horror does not even the word victory bring 
in review before us. Major Jewett, of the 38th or 36th Ala- 
bama regiment, is among the slain. He was an eminent law- 
yer of Alabama. Captain O'Brien, of the 2-4th Alabama, is 
anotiier martyr. He was a young lawyer from Mobile, and a 
braver or a better man we never had. He visited me while 
in Chattanooga, and I then thought him one of the finest speci- 
mens of manhood I had ever met. When the war broke out 
he enlisted as a private in the 3d Alabama regiment and 
served with it some time in Virginia. He was subsequently 
elected captain of the Emmet Guards, a company composed 
of men chiefly from the " Emerald Isle," In the death of Gen- 
eral Helm, of Kentucky, the country lost one of its bravest 
and best. His men fairly worshiped him. General Preston 
Smith is also killed. General Adams is wounded and a pris- 
oner. General Hood has lost a leg — his second wound in the 
war. Captam Hammond, a brother of our kind friend, Mrs. 
Johnston, is among the slain. The elegant and accomplished 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 185 



Major Richmond, of General Polk's statf, was killed while 
carrying dispatches. Few were better prepared to leave this 
vale of tears, for in every respect, he adorned the Christian 
character. These, along with hundreds of our brave men, 
have offered up their lives in defense of their homes and coun- 
try. 

" 'Tis glorious for our country thus to die, 
'Tis sweet to leave an everlasting name, 
A heritage of clear and virtuous fame." 

Having heard nothing about my brother since the battle, 
I am quite anxious about him. 

Saptember 27. — A Methodist minister. Dr. Heustis, made 
a speech at the depot calling upon the people to send up food 
and nurses to Chickamauga, as General Bragg has gone after 
the enemy, and expects to recapture Chattanooga. All who 
could, went immediately to work to cook food to send off. 

September 28. — This morning a meeting was held on the 
same subject, and Mrs. Johnston and I attended. Dr. Heustis' 
description of the sufferings of the men would have touched 
the heart of the most hardened. He said he could only tell 
us about our own men, and if they were suffering so much, 
we could guess what the prisoners were enduring. He said 
the principal thing needed was something to eat, and that if a 
basketful of biscuit were to be placed in one place where he 
saw some wounded men, that they would send up a shout of 
joy that would rend the air. He urged all who could possibly 
go with supplies, to do so immediately, but said there was no 
place there for ladies. The enemy had destroyed part of the 
railroad, and the wounded were taken to a place called the 
" Burnt Shed," some twenty miles from the battlefield, there to 
await transportation on the cars. Money was collected on the 
spot, and many promised provisions. 

I made up my mind to go, though many begged me not to 



136 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

do so. Having friends in Ringgold, I knew I could not be 
very bad off; so collecting all the provisions and old linen I 
could, I started that afternoon. Many of the ladies of the 
place intended going in a day or two, but knowing that time 
was everything with the suffering, I concluded not to wait. 
Rev. Mr. Green went with me, and Mrs. Colonel GriflBn sent a 
negro servant, so I felt fully equipped for my mission. 

The torn-up track to Ringgold had been relaid, so we 
went on to that place and arrived about dark. I found what 
had been the Bragg hospital filled with wounded men await- 
ing transportation. Oh, how sad and dreary all appeared ! 
There was not a single light in the whole building, except that 
which came from a fire outside, around which stood several 
slightly wounded soldiers shivering from cold. The balco- 
nies were filled with wounded men, wrapped in their blankets, 
lying on the floors. I found one room full, where all were suf- 
fering for want of water. These men were waiting to be trans- 
ported to the cars. 

After doing what I could for the pooi- fellows, I went to 
the home of our old friend, Mrs. Evans, who was overjoyed to 
see me. She had been under a fearful ordeal since we had met 
last, having been under the fire of the enemy, and compelled 
to take to the woods and make it her home for several days. 

Early the next morning I hurried back to the hospital, 
where I was kept busy nearly all day rolling bandages. I was 
assisted by a young man, Mr. Bearing, from Kentucky, who 
was disabled by a wound in the arm. It was as much as we 
could do to supply the demands of the doctors. Rev. Mr. 
Green and my negro servant were kept busy dressing 
wounds. We were seated on an upper gallery, where we could 
see the ambulances come in from the battlefield with their 
precious hardens. I saw as many as fifty come in at one time, 
and a dismal sight they presented. There had been no rain 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 137 



for some time, and the dust was so fearful that when the men 
were taken out of the wagons you could scarcely tell what color 
they were. Rolling bandages was a necessity, but it was a 
great trial for us, for we would so much rather have been 
waiting upon the wounded. At last we were told we had 
rolled enough for that day, and we gladly went down stairs to 
see what we could do. 

Dr. Devine had wine and other delicacies sent to him for 
the soldiers from Mississippi, and he gave me an ample supply 
as I was leaving Newnan. I got a bucket, and nearly filling 
it with the wine, put in water and sugar, making a delicious 
drink. This, with eatables in a basket, Mr. Bearing and I 
carried around, and it was highly appreciated by the men. 
The Mississippians were more than pleased on telling them 
where the wine came from. By this time the soldiers had 
been supplied with plenty of food, so were not suffering from 
hunger. We also visited the cars, which were standing on the 
tracks filled with wounded. 

During one of these visits to the injured, a gentleman 
came up to me and said: "I am rejoiced to see you, as you 
are the first lady I have seen here. These men are Kentuck- 
ians, and as I have to leave with some wounded, any attention 
you pay those here I shall take as a personal favor," After 
he left I was informed by the men that he was Prof, Picket, a 
Baptist minister and chaplain of a Kentucky brigade. The 
men spoke of him in a most affectionate manner. I subse- 
quently learned that he was a grandson of Governor DeShae, 
of Kentucky, and a relative of General DeShae, of Mexican 
fame. He is at present State superintendent of education in 
Kentucky. 

About dark, taking some cloth for bandages, I went to 
Mrs. Evans' to remain for the night. TJiere I met a widow 
lady, who took umbrage at my asking Mrs. Evans what the 

9 



188 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

ladies of Ringgold were doing, as not one of them had been 
at the hospital, and they could do much good, if they did noth- 
ing else but roll bandages. She said the ladies had never been 
asked, and besides the Federals had robbed them of all the 
cloth they had for that purpose. While I was speaking. Cols. 
Hays and Walters, of General Bragg's staff, entered, and 
Colonel Walters made the same remark about the ladies that 
I had done, and added that such neglect pained him very 
much. These gentlemen were there for the purpose of seeing 
that the wounded were properly cared for, and evinced the 
greatest solicitude for their w^elfare. 

The next morning, the 30th, I arose bright and early, and 
hurriedly partaking of my breakfast, went to the hospital. 
There I was overjoyed to find Dr. Stout with a corps of sur- 
geons and nurses, among them my kind friends. Dr. Burt and 
Mrs. Ellis. Dr. Stout informed me that he had been many 
days at the " Burnt Shed," and was kindly assisted by the 
Georgia Relief Association, and said no words could tell the 
amount of good they had done. He was certain that without 
their aid many of the men would have died of starvation. I 
was introduced to some of the members, among them was 
Neil Brown, ex-governor of Tennessee. I had always wished 
to go on a battlefield — not from any idle curiosity, but from a 
desire to know the worst, and see if I could be of any use. 
While thinking over the matter, I met a Mrs. Weir, of Grif- 
fin, Ga., whose son had lost a leg in the battle, and was in a 
private house near the battlefield. She had come to nurse 
him, and said she would go with me to the battlefield if I 
would go out with her to see her son. Hundreds of wagons 
were coming in, but none returning that dtiy. After awhile, a 
nice looking, covered private wagon came along, and after de- 
positing its load of Jimuanity, Mr. Dearing asked the owner to 
take us, but this, he stoutly refused to do, saying his horses 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 139 



were completely worn out. Mr. D. then said that one of the ladies 
had nursed, at least, one thousand Confederates. On hearing 
this, he immediately drew up and invited us all in. We 
found our driver quite intelligent and talkative, and he re- 
lated many interesting anecdotes of the late battle. The first 
line of battle was formed on his farm. His name is Tedford, 
which has become historic. His family lied to the woods, 
and our soldiers, finding the house deserted, took all they 
could find to eat. His wife's clothes were even taken, as she 
supposed, for the wounded. Mr. Tedford was too much 
pleased at our victory to murmur. Thei'e was no fighting on 
his farm, but a good deal at his brother's, Tedford's Ford. He 
told us about a young man, who had been with the army at 
some distance from his home, and his regiment was brought 
here to reinforce Bragg. During the engagement the poor 
fellow was killed on or near his father's farm. 

We traveled over the roughest roads imaginable, and the 
thought occurred to me that if the wounded were brought this 
way they must indeed suffer. The surmise proved to be cor- 
rect, for we met hundreds of wagons loaded with suflerers 
wending their way to Ringgold. We also saw many slightly 
wounded on foot going the same direction. 

We left Mrs. Weir at Mr, Strickland's, where her son 
was, and Mr. Tedford begged me to go on further, to Mr. 
Hunt's, where were the wounded of Hindman's division. He 
informed me that an excellent young lady, Mr. Hunt's daugh- 
ter, was doing much for the wounded, and would be glad of 
my assistance. The temptation was a great one, as I had never 
seen a field hospital; neither had I heard anything certain about 
my brother, and as he was in the same brigade, I felt assured 
I would hear something of him. On our way I met Dr. Ray 
going to see a brother, Avhom he had just heard was badly 
wounded. He and several other surgeons had been wandering 



140 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

about for two clays looking for the hospitals. They had had 
nothing to eat except a pig, which they had " pressed." I 
think he said they had been at General Cleburn's division hos- 
pital, and the first day they were there they dressed the 
wounds of twelve hundred men. This seems almost incred- 
ible, but we have had many more wounded than killed, and all 
of the wounded of the enemy were left in our hands. He also 
informed me that at first they had no food for the men nor 
rags with which to dress their wounds. 1 promised to send 
them some rags and also to visit the hospital. 

I found Mr. Hunt's home a very pretty cottage in tlie 
midst of a garden, which before the battle had been filled with 
fine shrubbery and flowers, but was noAv covered with tents, 
flies and sheds filled with wounded. I was informed that it 
was Managault's brigade hospital, and not Hindman's, and also 
that Lieutenant Cooper and Captain Chamberlain, of the 24th 
Alabama regiment, were wounded and lying in the house. I 
found them both on the parlor fioor on mattressess. Being 
old friends, they were delighted to see me. They told me that 
Lieutenant Bond, of my brother's company, had just called 
upon them, and but one man in the company was killed, whose 
name they had forgotten ; so I had again to thank God for 
sparing my brother. 

I met several other Mobilians, among them Mr. Chillion, 
a brother of a well known Roman Catholic priest of Mobile. 
Mr. Chillion was then in his seventieth year. He had been in the 
service ever since the war began, and kept up in marching as 
well as the youngest. On finding out who I was, he wept with 
joy. He requested me to write to his friends in Mobile and 
tell them of his condition, which of course I did. 

Every corner of the house was filled with wounded, many 
of them lying upon bunks made out of the branches of trees, 



ATLANTA NEWXAN. 141 



a hard bed at any time, but much more so for these poor 
wounded veterans. 

Miss Hunt is a fine looking, modest young girl, and hav- 
ing heard so much of her kindness to the wounded, I was 
captivated by her at once. She took me into a kitchen, which 
at that time was sleeping room, dining room, kitchen and 
everything else for the whole family, which appeared to be a 
large one. The room contained two beds, in which some of 
the family were then lying ill. I heard no grumbling or com- 
plaint from any of the inmates, with the exception of Mr. 
Hunt, who sat by the fire; and when I heard his story, it was 
not much wonder that he murmured. Before the battle he 
had his barns filled with plenty for his stock and food for his 
family. At the time of which I write he had nothing left but 
his house. Winter was coming on, and starvation for himself 
and family stared him in the face. As all of his neighbors 
for miles around were in the same condition, he could expect 
no help from them. It was in that house that the brave Cap- 
tain O'Brien breathed his last. 

Miss Hunt and I retired into a loft with no flooring ; the 
mattress being laid on the beams, we were compelled to move 
cautiously, for fear of falling through the plastering. On get- 
ting up the next morning, there being no windows, the dark- 
ness was extreme, and when we got down stairs the rain was 
pouring in torrents, and the crowded state of the house made it 
very uncomfortable. The doctors ate breakfast in the hall, and 
invited me to partake, but I declined, the surrounding scenes 
making me feel that I never wanted to eat again. They very 
kindly sent me a cup of pure coffee, which I could scarcely re- 
fuse, and it completely revived me. I thought if Cowper had 
drank coffee instead of tea, he would certainly have given it 
the preference as a cheering beverage. 

I bad a few delicacies with me, which I distributed among 



142 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

the most needy. The government had supplied nothing but 
cornbread and bacon for the men, which could scarcely be 
eaten by some. The Georgia relief committees had not gotten 
out that far. It rained so hard I could not get to see the pa- 
tients who were out in the yard, but I was much gratified to 
see the solicitude that Drs. Cochrane, Gibbs and Gourie dis- 
played for their comfort. They were much distressed that 
some of the men were lying where the rain was pouring down 
on them, but they could not help it. They said they had 
heard of many field hospitals where the men were much worse 
off. Dr. Fourd, the chief surgeon, was much censured for 
not attending better to their Avants; but perhaps, were all 
known, he did the best he could. I assisted Miss Hunt in 
making some arrowroot, which was quite palatably seasoned 
with some wine that Captain Chamberlain had. I wanted 
to make egg-nog, but, an egg or a chicken was not to be 
had for miles around. Egg-nog is an excellent beverage for 
wounded, for besides being a stimulant, it is a noui'ishment. 

F'inding I could be of little service at Mr. Hunt's, I tried 
to get a conveyance to take me to Mr. Strickland's, where we 
had left Mrs. Weir, but of no avail. Mr. Bearing tried to get one 
from Mr. Tedford, but our men had broken into his barn the 
previous night, and taken what little corn he had left, and he 
had gone in search of provender for his stock. At last Drs. 
Gibbs and Gourie kindly offered us their horses, which were 
gladly accepted, Miss Hunt kindly lending me her skirt and 
saddle. 

I shall never forget my sorrowful and saddened feelings 
on leaving this, one of the many field hospitals, which were 
all around, filled with human beings maimed in every con- 
ceivable manner^ far from the endearments of home, with 
scarcely the necessities of life. War ! war ! how terrible its 
effects ! 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 143 

As we rode out of the yard, I tried to look neither to the 
right nor the left, for I knew tliat many eyes were sadly gazing 
at us from their comfortless sheds and tents. I could do 
nothing for the poor fellows, and when that is the case, I try 
to steel my heart against their sorroAvs. We could see the 
men cooking out in the pouring rain ; a perfect war between 
the two elements, fire and water. All had a most cheerless 
aspect. As we rode on the tents of the various field hospitals 
came in view, and the thoughts of the inmates and their suf- 
ferings added to the gloom. I gazed in the direction of the 
battlefield and thought of the nameless dead who were there. 
A nation weeps for them; and on that day nature, like Kachel, 
Avas shedding tears for her children because they were not. 
The awful conflict which had so recently raged between 
brother and brother was vividly pictured to my mind. Oh ! 
what a field of fratricide was there. It wrings from one the 
cry of the brave Falkland of old : "Peace! peace! when will 
it come ? " 

We neared the fatal stream — the Chickamauga — the 
" River of Death." How prophetic its name ! 

"From the dust their laurels bloom, 
High they shoot and flourish free; 
Glory's temple is the tomb, 
Death is immortality." 

By the time we reached Mr. Strickland's my clothes Avere 
very wet, so Mrs. Strickland kindly gave me a change, and 
after getting the benefit of a good fire, I soon forgot the dis- 
comforts of my dreary ride. There Avere several more 
wounded in the house and in tents, besides Mrs. Weir's son, 
but it was not near so crowded as at Hunt's. 

On the next day, October 2, we were delighted to see the 
sun shining brightly. Mrs. Weir had visited a hospital nearby 
the day before and promised to take the inmates some clothes. 



144 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

I went with her to the Georgia Relief Association, who gave 
us all we wished. On going to the hospital— Brown's brig- 
ade — we found the poor fellows had no need of the clothes, 
for since Mrs. Weir's visit they had gone to their long homes. 
As none of the others needed the clothes, we took them to 
Cheatem's division hospital, which was near. The chief sur- 
geon, Dr. Price, took us all through, and spoke in glowing 
terms of the Georgia Relief Association. We were taken to a 
large "fly," about a hundred feet long, with bunks down each 
side, and a man in each bunk who had had a leg amputated. 
It was a sad sight to behold, and I could scarcely repress the 
tears. I gave them a few words of consolation and left. 

We next visited a ward in which were the worst wounded, 
and as soon as I entered my name was pronounced ; it proved 
to be by one of our cooks of the Newsom hospital. Poor fel- 
low, he was so overjoyed to see me that he could scarcely 
speak. He said that while lying there he had thought a 
thousand times of good, kind Mrs. Williamson and myself. 
His wound was extremely 'painful, and he suffered much for 
the lack of soft rags. I gave him Avhat I had, and Mrs. 
Weir promised to send him more. Some of the surgeons told 
me that many a time they had nothing but tent cloth with 
which to dress the wounds. 

I reluctantly left my Iriend, and was almost sorry I had 
met him, as I could not remain to do anything for him. The 
doctor who escorted us around asked if we wished to go to 
any of the other wards, but we declined, as we had seen 
enough of suffering for awhile. He then offered to take us to 
see the prisoners, but this we also refused, as all was so dis- 
tressing. He informed us that they were receiving the very 
same attention that our men were, but this I knew, as our 
people, I had found, were too high-minded to ill-treat the 
helpless. As every one told us it was too long after the bat- 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 145 

tie for us to visit tlie battle ground, we concluded not to go. 
As we returned home I thought I never had been out in 
a more beautiful day. The sun's rays were glimmering 
through the trees, arraying their gorgeous autumn costume 
with brilliant tints. Longfellow's ode to autumn was fully 
realized there : 

"Thei-e is a beautiful spirit breathing now 
Its mellow richness on the clustered trees ; 
The gentle wind — a sweet and passionate wooer — 
Kissing the blushing leaf and stirs up life 
Within the solemn woods of ash-deep crimson; 
And silver beech and maple yellow leaved." 

We wondered why our enemies would not permit us to 
enjoy this beautiful country without trying to rob us of it. 
We were perfectly willing to have them come and live peace- 
ably among us, for there was certainly room enough for all. 
As we wandered througli the woods upon this lovely day, I 
remarked to Mrs. Weir that I should like to have a relic of 
the battle of Chickamauga. As I said this two young men 
who had heard me, stepped forward, and one remarked he 
had a book which he had taken out of the pocket of a dead 
Federal, that he would be very glad to give me. As I thanked 
him, I asked his name, which I have forgotten, but he be- 
longed to the 4th Arkansas regiment. These two young sol- 
diers walked off whistling as merrily as if they had not a 
care in the world. The book is an allegory, " The Journey 
Home," by James Munro, and is stained with blood. The fly 
leaf was torn out and the name of the owner with it. The 
book had likely been given to the poor fellow, out of whose 
pocket it had been taken, by his mother, with a prayer that it 
might prepare him for the journey he had just then taken. 

The next day, October 3. I left Mrs. Strickland's and my 
friends there with many regrets, as I had been treated with 



146 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

the greatest kindness. It was with much difficulty I got Mrs. 
Strickland to take any money, but knowing that she was as 
destitute as her neighbors, I insisted on her doing so. Bidding 
all farewell, I took my seat by the driver — a soldier — of the 
first ambulance that came along, Mr. Bearing taking the next. 
We took the lead of one of those long dreary-looking trains of 
ambulances, of which I have seen so many. Two men were 
in the one in which I was ; one wounded in the jaw in which 
was the erysipelas, the other had a leg broken, which was 
neatly fixed with splints. I expected the latter to suffer much 
from the jolting, but if he did, he never expressed it. The 
other's sufferings seemed to be extreme, for it was painful to 
hear him moan. 

I thought I had seen the worst our men had to endure, 
but that ride proved I was mistaken. The rain had made such 
deep ruts that the jolting was terrible ; how the wounded could 
live through such a ride was a wonder. We had to pass sev- 
eral fords where the water came nearly into our wagon; at 
one, a wagon had stalled, and our driver had to unharness his 
mules, and assisted by some others, drag it out before we 
could proceed. Our long, dreary, harrowing ride came to an 
end at last, and thankful we were to escape without a mis- 
hap. 

In Ringgold I found a number of ladies from Newnan, 
also our post-surgeon. Dr. Gamble, and Dr. Gore, of the Bragg 
hospital. They had all come provided with quantities of 
good things, which they were giving to the men. There were 
many persons in search of relatives, among them a lady I had 
met at Corinth nursing the wounded. Two of her sons were 
lying badly wounded at a field hospital, and she was on her 
way to see them. 

On the train coming up I met a Mrs. Birch in great 
distress about a son, who was among the unfortunates. I 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 147 



met her again afterwards, and she was rejoicing in having 
found him, and was taking him home. She was dressed in 
deep mourning for a son killed in Virginia. At the depot 
there were many well prisoners awaiting transportation, and 
thousands of small arms and some cannon — spoils of the 
battle. Rev. Owen Thackery, of Florida, was there with sup- 
plies for the Florida troops. He had stopped at many of 
the hospitals on his way up and was much pleased at the 
manner in which they were conducted, and also at the relig- 
ious feeling expressed by the men. Drs. Bateman and Size- 
more came to see me, and their experience was pretty much 
the same as that of others since leaving Newnan. They said 
many a poor fellow died for want of proper nourishment, for 
when they had procured food they found they had nothing in 
which to cook it. 

From what they said and my own observations, I felt cer- 
tain that ladies could be of much service in field hospitals, 
and if I had had the means there is where I should have gone. 
I could have gotten some one to go with me for the love of 
doing good. We could have had our own conveyance, and I 
know would always be respected by the enemy. 

My friend. Dr. Burt, had charge of the hospital at Ring- 
gold, and I went on a begging expedition for articles he 
needed, and got a quantity from Dr. Stickney, medical pur- 
veyor of Polk's corps. 

I met Dr. Young, of Kentucky, who gave me several 
relics from the battlefield. One, " The Holy Comforter," taken 
from a chaplain's tent is very fine. He also gave me several 
letters, one from a young lady in Illinois to her cousin. In 
reading this letter, my wonder was, what could be in the mind 
of any one who could sit down and deliberately write, encour- 
aging her friends to come here and murder us. She raves 
about the union, and calls herself a real "sucker." How lady- 



148 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

like ! She then goes on to tell her cousin, that as the Federals 
have had so many victories lately, that the Hebels must be 
completely whipped. But on hearing of the repulse at 
Charleston, she is afraid the war is not over yet. She tells 
how the copperheads tried to have peace meetings, and 
that the ladies of her section sang Union songs and broke 
them up. What a laudable enterprise ! 

I went from Ringgold to Marietta, twenty miles above 
Atlanta, one of the most beautiful towns in Georgia. It is situ- 
ated on a high region not far from Kensaw mountain. The 
houses were, many of them, magnificent, and at that time the 
place was filled with refugees principally from New Orleans. 
This lovely town was afterwards bombarded by Sherman. I 
passed through it after the war and his blight was seen on 
everything. Scarcely one of the line buildings but was a 
smouldering ruin. Well, I have digressed from my subject- 
I stopped at Marietta for the purpose of seeing Mrs. Harri- 
son, a lady from Florida, who had come from that State to en- 
ter the hospital. Being a friend of Dr. Gamble's, he re- 
quested me to call and take her on to Newnan. She was well 
supplied with wine and other delicacies for the men, and being 
a lady of wealth, had much in her power to give. 

My kind friend, Mrs. Newsom, was matron of tlie Acad- 
emy hospital, and I found her in much grief at the loss of many 
dear friends in the late battle. Like a true Christian, as she 
is, she spoke of their deaths with resignation. I met Dr. 
Cannon, and he introduced me to Rev. Mr. Benedict, at whose 
house I remained during my short stay in the place. He con- 
gratulated himself on being able to hold service once more in his 
church, as it, with all of the others, had been taken for a hos- 
pital. 

Dr. Cannon had charge of the Gilmer hospital, and Mrs. 
Crocker, of Mobile, was matron. On visiting their patients, 



ATLANTA NEWNAN. 149 



we came across a young man with both of his eyes shot out. 
Mrs. Crocker informed me that he had never been heard to 
murmur. I had a letter of introduction from Dr. Gamble to 
Mrs. Fairbanks, wife of our chief commissary, but I had no 
time to call upon her. Mrs. Benedict sent her carriage for me 
to call upon Mrs. General Anderson, who was living in the 
country. There I met the General's mother, Mrs. Bibia, a fine 
old lady. She and Mr. Benedict went as far as Atlanta with 
me, and being detained some time at the depot, we heard part 
of a speech made from the top of a car by one of our sol- 
diers. He pretended he was one of Joe Brown's pets, as the 
Georgia militia were called, and related his sorrows in a most 
pathetic manner. He said he had been two whole months in the 
army and as yet had had nary a furlough, and that the Georgia 
militia were nobly defending the rear of Bragg's army. Gov- 
ernor Brown, being an ardent adherent of State rights, would 
not let the militia go out of the State to fight, so they were 
called his pets, and many a joke was told on them by the reg- 
ulars. 

While on the train I met a very intelligent lady, who had 
just come through the lines. She was in Shelbyville when 
our army retreated from there, and broke her arm and had to 
remain. She went, I think, to Winchester, where General 
Rosecrans had his headquarters, and there saw how the "dear 
Union army " treated the people. She said the soldiers en- 
tered houses and took what they wished; when the officers 
were appealed to, they made a big fuss, but nothing was ever 
restored. General Rosecrans, in a very gentlemanly manner, 
told her of our poverty, and seemed well posted about every- 
thing that was being done in the Confederacy. She thought 
we must have many spies among us, which m as no doubt the 
case. I had often thought the Southern people were too con- 
fiding and easily imposed upon. They should have acted 



150 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

with more caution, as that would have been nothing but wis- 
dom. Every second man in tlie North might have been a spy 
and it would have mattered little, as we were not going to 
take anything from there; but the case was very different with 
us, as one spy in our midst might be the cause of much 
trouble. 



CHAPTER XI. 

NEWNAN. 

On my return I found Mrs. Williamson with much to do, 
as the hospital was full of patients, and we had many come 
in from the field hospitals as a raid was expected. They were 
very bad cases and many died as soon as they were brought 
in. On entering the wards the same sad spectacle greeted us. 
A poem, " A Call to the Hospital," pictures the scene so truth- 
fully, I will insert it here : 

Fold away all your bright tinted dresses, 

Turn tlie key on your jewels today ; 
And the wealth of your tendril-like tresses 

Braid back in a serious way. 
No more elegant gloves, no more laces, 

No more trifling in boudoir or bower ; 
But come with your souls in your faces 

To meet the stern wants of the hour. 

Look around by the torcli light unsteady — 

The dead and the dying seem one ; 
What ! trembling and paling already, 

Before your dear mission's begun ? 
These wounds are more precious than ghastly. 

Time presses her lips to each scar. 
While she chants of that glory which vastly 

Transcends all the horrors of war. 

Pause here by this bedside ; how mellow 

The light showers down on that brow I 
Such a brave brawny visage ! Poor fellow, 

Some homestead is missing him now. 
Some wife shades her eyes in the clearing — 

Some mother sits moaning distressed — 
While the loved one lies faint, but unfearing, 

With the enemy's ball in his breast. 

151 



152 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 



Here's another, a lad — a mere stripling- - 

Picked up on the field almost dead. 
With the blood through his sunny hair rippling 

From a horrible gash in his head. 
They say he was first in the action, 

Gay-hearted, quick-banded and witty; 
He fought till he fell with exhaustion, 

In front of our fair Southern city : 

Fought and fell with the guns of that city, 

With a spirit transcending his years. 
Lift him up, in your large-hearted pity, 

And wet his pale lip? with your tears ; 
Touch him gently, most sacred the duty 

Of dressing that poor shattered hand. 
God spare him to rise in his beauty 

And battle once more for his land. 

Who groaned? What a passionute murmur: 

"In thy mercy, O God! let me die." 
Ha! surgeon your hand must be firmer; 

That musket ball's brokeu his thigh. 
Turn the light on these poor furrowed features. 

Gray-haired and unknown — bless the brother! 
O heaven that one of thy creatures 

Should e'er work such woe on another. 

Wipe the sweat from his brow with your kerchief. 

Let the old tattered collar go wide; 
See, he stretches out blindly to search if 

The surgeon still stands by his side. 
" My son's over yonder — he's wounded — 

O, this ball that has entered my thigh" — 
And again he bursts out, all a-tremble: 

" In thy mercy, O God ! let me die." 

Pass on, it is useless to linger 

While others are claiming your care; 

There is need for your delicate finger — 
For your womanly sympathy there. 

There are sick ones athirst for caressing, 
There are dying ones raving of home; 



NEWNAN. 153 



There are wounds to be bound with a blessing 
And shrouds to make ready for some. 

They liave pjathered about you the harvest 

Of death in its ghastliest view; 
The nearest as well as the farthest 

Is here, with the traitor and true. 
And crowned with your beautiful patience, 

Made sunny with love at the heart. 
You must balsam the wounds of a nation — 

Nor falter nor shrink from your part. 

Up and down the wards, where fever 

Stalks noisome, and gaunt, and impure. 
You must go with your steadfast endeavor 

To comfort, to counsel, to cure. 
I grant you the task's superhuman. 

But strength will be given to you 
To do for the dear ones wliat woman 

Alone in her pity can do. 

And the lips of the mothers will bless you, 

As angels sweet visaged and pale; 
And the little ones run to caress you. 

And the wives and the sisters cry " Hail!" 
But e'en if you droj) dcwn unheeded — 

What matter! God's ways are the best; 
You have pouredout your life where 'twas needed, 

And He will take care of the i-est, 

Mrs. Harrison came and took charge of a ward a short 
distance in the country, as a convalescent hospital. On my 
first visit I found her surrounded by diflBculties. Her room 
had leaked so badly, that on the first hard rain she was nearly 
swamped, but as she did not leave home for pleasure, she ex- 
pected these trials. Of course, she had many others, but was 
cheerful with them all. I found her enthusiastic in the cause 
and a high toned noble woman. The hospital was made of 
tents, giving a military appearance to the whole. 

In a lettei* I received at this time from my father, he was 
lo 



154 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

quite despondent, for he, like many otliers, thought that Bragg 
ought to have followed up his victory at Chickamauga, and 
captured the whole Northern army. 

Gangrene, with all of its horrors, broke out among the 
wounded, and their sufferings were fearful. P'rom its ravages 
a wound would be ten times its original size in a few clays. 
The men were isolated in tents, which did much toward 
checking its progress. Captain Thompson, of the 45th Mis- 
sissippi regiment, had a leg amputated in a field hospital. 
After being some time with us, gangrene came into his wound, 
besides suffering from pneumonia. His patience in his suffer- 
ings was beyond all praise. I never saw him without a smile 
on his countenance. His wife being too far off to come and 
see him, I wrote for his cousin, Miss Nannie Womack, who 
was living near, having refugeed from Louisiana. She came 
immediately, and did all in her power to relieve tiim, but of no 
avail. On November 23 he breathed his last, perfectly re- 
signed, with full confidence in a blessed hereafter. He passed 
away from earth 

"As the bird to its sheltering nest, 

When the storm on the hill is abroad, 
So his spirit had Hown from this world of unrest 

To repose ou the bosom of God." 

His cousin. Miss Womack, begged Dr. Hughes to send his 
corpse home. One of Captain Thompson's men had been 
with him from the beginning, and as he had not had a fur- 
lough in some time. Dr. Hughes procured him one and sent 
the corpse home in his care. 

Miss Womack, seeing how much use she could be, re- 
mained with us, and took charge of the delicacies. I found 
her a most genial companion, and as she came at a time when 
Mrs. Williamson and I were overwhelmed with work, was 
doubly appreciated. She had a negro waiting maid with her, 



NEWNAN. 156 



who was also of much service. Good, sincere Christian, as 
Mrs. Williamson was, she, as well as myself, had times of de- 
pression, and Miss Womack, with her sunny nature, happen- 
ing to come at one of these times, did much to cheer us up. 
She was the bitterest hater of the Yankees I had ever met. 
As her home in Louisiana had been some time in their hands, 
she had seen and heard much of their atrocities, which then I 
did not believe. She and I almost quarreled when we spoke 
on the subject, as I thought she exaggerated, the infamous 
acts, but I know now what she said was too true. When she 
was so bitter I sometimes told her that extremes very often 
met, and that after the war I Avould not be surprised to hear 
of her marrying a Yankee. This invariably made her very 
angry, but her wrath did not last long, as she knew I was 
joking, for I then thought such a thing impossible. Her father 
was a planter, and she had several handsome homespun 
dresses, for which she had planted the seed, ginned the cotton, 
spun, dyed and wove it into cloth. This was done by hun- 
dreds of others to show our independence of the North. 

About the middle of December, one cold and stormy day, 
a young man named Thomas Watson, a member of the 4th 
Texas regiment, breathed his last. He was one of Hood's 
men, and had come with quite a number of wounded to help 
nurse them. He had been with us since the battle of Chicka- 
mauga as a nurse, and by his fidelity to his work and quiet 
and unobtrusive manner, had become much beloved, by all. 
He was a handsome youth of eighteen. He used to speak in 
most affectionate terms of his mother, and tell us how she 
had buckled on his armor and bade him God-speed in battling 
for his country. He was taken with pneumonia, and it was 
not long in doing its deadly work. When informed that his 
case was hopeless, he asked me to get his money that was due 
him and send it to his mother, and tell her he had died happy 



156 GLEANINGS FUOJI SOUTHLAND. 



and hoped to meet her in heaven. Our chaphiin, Mr. Mooi-e, 
and another one were very attentive, and Miss Womack and I 
were with him all the time we could spare. He took much 
consolation from the hymns, "Kock of Ages" and "Jesus, 
Lover of My Soul." Toward night he became delirious, 
and raved about the different battles in which he had fought, 
but more than all, he raved about his mother, and spoke to her 
as he had no doubt done when a child. Toward the last he 
grew calm, and gazing around saw Miss Womack and I stand- 
ing by, and though suffering intensely, thanked us for past 
kindness. We remained with this dying saint till death 
claimed him. I brushed the brown clustering curls back, and 
wiped the clammy sweat from his brow, and while a prayer 
was on his lips his spirit winged its flight to God, who gave 
it. On our return, Miss Womack said she never would forget 
that night and the scene we had just witnessed ; that in doing 
a little good she had experienced more real enjoyment than 
she had ever done in her gay, fashionable life. 

We witnessed many such lovely Christian deaths as Mr. 
Watson's. The patience with which our men bore their suf- 
ferings and the resignation with which they breathed their 
last, vrsLS a revelation to me, and indeed, to all. Surely God's 
hand was with them, and endowed them with grace and 
strength to bear up under their afflictions. 

Toward the end of the year our hospitals were in good 
order, and it was not much wonder that Ave hoped to remain 
in Newnan some time, unless we could go forward. We had 
foragers, who brought us milk, butter, eggs and vegetables, 
which were of the greatest importance, as there was little or 
no medicine of any kind to be had. The enemy would not 
allow any to come through the lines, an unheard of thing in 
civilized warfare. The ladies of the place were giving us 
some aid, and I became acquainted with several excellent 



NEWNAX. 157 

families, to whom I applied for assistance in emergencies. 
A very energetic woman, a soldier's wife, had charge of 
the kitchen for cooking for the very sick. Mrs. Williamson 
had charge of the linen department and Miss Womack of the 
delicacies, besides making the toddies and egg-nog. All of 
this gave me more time to visit the wards, which I did at least 
twice a day. 

I had been with the suffering so much that I could go into 
a ward full of men and tell almost at a glance which of them 
required the most attention. We had no time to spend at the 
couch of any but the worst cases. I used to jokingly tell the 
others that they were beneath my notice. We had a most ex- 
cellent chaplain, Mr. Moore, of Tennessee, who was indefati- 
gable in his work, and sometimes held service in the wards. 

In one ward there were seven young men lying side by 
side; each had lost a leg at Chickamauga, and they were a 
gay set, always laughing and joking. They used to tell me to 
get the young ladies to come and see them, as they would 
make excellent husbands, never being able to run away. 

It was not often that we had any in our Western army 
that came from the States east of Georgia, and I noticed a dif- 
ference in the physique of the men from the States north of 
us, that is, men from Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri. 
They appeared more hardy than those from the far South. At 
first I was quite sad when I observed this physical delicacy 
in those from the more Southern States, as I was fearful they 
could not endure the hardships incidental to camp life, but 
subsequent events proved that they stood them as well as the 
more hardy. I never saw finer specimens of men than those 
composing Price's and Morgan's armies. Many of them were 
knightly in their appearance, and walked as independently as 
if they did not know the meaning of the word defeat. 

We had no ward in our hospital set apart for officers, and 



158 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAXr*. 



if any happened to be brought there, if convalescent, they 
took their meals with Mrs. Williamson and myself. Shortly 
after the late battle, Captain Desha, a Kentuckian, I believe, 
of Breckinridge's command, boarded with us a short time. 
He was a grandson of Governor Desha, and a cousin of Prof. 
Picket, whom I met in Ringgold. He was very handsonle, and 
was every inch a soldier in appearance, having the air of a 
nobleman. His wound not being very severe, he did not le- 
main very long with us, and we regretted his leaving, as his 
company had been most agreeable. 

About the end of the year our army was stationed at Dalton, 
where it was driven after its defeat at Missionary Ridge. My 
brother wrote asking me to send him clothes, as he had left 
his in the hands of the Yankees. 

The winter was intensely cold, and we were thankful that 
hostilities had ceased for awhile. The time was passing 
wearily for, us, with alternate hopes and fears; but happy it 
was for us, our hox>es were predominant. We placed our hopes 
for a long time on foreign intervention, but that seemed long in 
coming. Many praised France for her good will toward us, 
but I never could find out one good act she had done us. She 
had said much, but then, as now, talking was cheap. 

When the war commenced my hopes were centered in 
Great Britain, for I had loved to think of her as the defender 
of the oppressed. I had heard some say that she rejoiced at 
the struggle, as she was jealous of the growing power of the 
United States, but I always rejected this cruel, heartless ac- 
cusation with indignation. She surely could not rejoice at 
the misery of any nation, especially that of her own descend- 
ants. The why and the wherefore have yet to be told, for she 
bore insult after insult from the United States government 
until her people on this side of the Atlantic exclaimed with 
indignation : 



NEWNAN. 159 



"My country, colors not thy once proud brow 
At this affront ? Hast thou not fleets enow, 
With j^lory's streamers, lofty as the lark, 
Gay fluttering o'er each thundering bark. 

To warm the iusulter's seas with barbarous blood ?" 

About this time Mr. Lindsay, M. P., made a speech in 
Middlesex, England, in which he said that the guns and ammu- 
nition used by the F'ederals were made in England. What 
about international law, that Great Britain was such a stickler 
for in our affairs ? Well, we had much with which to con- 
tend. 

"Were this some common strife of States embroiled, 

Britannia on the spoiler and the spoiled 

Might calmly look, and asking time to breathe, 

Still honorably wear her olive wreath; 

But this is darkness combating with liglit, 

Earth's adverse principles for empire fight." 

I shall end this chapter with a summary from my journal : 
Christmas Day, 1863. — Miss Womack and myself were 
up long before daylight making egg-nog, as we had promised 
some to all in the hospital — that is, the convalescents, nurses 
and cooks. Just at the peep of dawn the little gallery in 
front of our house was crowded with the wounded, come to 
get their Christmas treat. The scene was worthy of a pic- 
ture. Many of the men were without legs and some without 
arms, and all of them as cheerful as if they never had been 
maimed. Dr. Hughes did all he could to have a good dinner 
for the convalescents and nurses. They had turkeys, vegeta- 
bles and pies. I hope that the men in the army fared as well. 
In the afternoon we had a call from nearly all of our sur- 
geons, and several from the other hospitals. As our wounded 
were doing well, we begged Mrs. Williamson to spare a few- 
hours from working for her "dear boys," which she did. 
Thus passed Christmas of 1 863 in the Bragg hospital, Newnan. 



160 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

We were thankful for the present and trustful for the future. 

December 30. — I see by the papers that Lincoln has 
again refused to exchange prisoners. This is a most cruel act, 
not only to our men but to his own. He knows in his inmost 
soul, that we have not the necessaries of life for our own men, 
and, such being the case, how can he expect us to feed his. Hu- 
man life seems little worth to those in power at the North. 
All the prisoners we have might die of starvation and no heed 
paid to them. All that Lincoln has to do is to issue a call for 
thousands more to be offered up on his altar of sacrifice. He 
well knows that every man in our army is dear to us, for we 
have not the dregs ot the earth to draw from, but our every 
man is a patriot, battling for his home and country. 

December 31. — One of the stormiest and bleakest nights 
I ever witnessed. As I gazed out the darkness was appalling 
— "striking thought inward." The elements were warring 
like our poor selves. I never look out on such a night without 
thinking of the soldier, who at that moment is doing sentinel 
duty. How dreary must be his walk as he paces along and 

"Tliinks of ihe two on the low trundle bed 

Far away in his cot on the mountain; 

His musket falls slack, his face, dark and grim, 

Grows gentle with memories tender, 

As he mutters a prayer for his children asleep 

And their mother, may heaven defend her." 

Another sun has run its yearly course and we are still 
fighting our relentless foe. We have to listen to the tales of 
wrong committed upon our people, enough to arouse the blood 
of the most callous and make them cry aloud for vengeance. 

"The blood of murdered legions 
Summons vengeance from tlie skies; 

Flaming towns and ravished regions 
All in awful judgment rise." 

In the past year we have had many disasters, but nothing 



NBWNAN. 161 



is worth having that does not cost a struggle, and as our be- 
loved president says: " It is but for a short time. We have 
had some victories for which we can offer up thanks." 

The enemy have brought up army after army against 
Richmond, and have as often been forced to retire in dismay 
and confusion before the invincible Lee and his veteran army. 
They have the Mississippi River only in name. Louisiana is 
almost as free as it was before the fall of New Orleans. Texas 
is ours. Mississippi is guarded by that king of cavalrymen, 
Forrest; and Charleston — 

" Through coming years its name 
A talisman shall be — " 

Shell after shell has been hurled against its scarred walls. 
Column after column of the invader have found graves 
around it. 

Ah ! would I could say as much about Tennessee. How 
my heart sickens at the desecrations of her lovely vales and 
mountains. Homes are fired and their helpless inmates cast 
out into the ruthless storm. 

''The wing of war that's hovering 

O'er this bright and beauteous land 
Throws a dark foreboding shadow 

Round our faithful fearless band. 
But we will not grow discouraged, 

Though the vandals round us crowd, 
For our star is not declining . 

'Tis only veiled behind a cloud. 

Hark! the bugle note is sounding, 

The fearful crisis comes at last; 
By heaven's help we'll scatter them 

Like autumn leaves before the blast. 
Then from peaceful dell and mountain 

Will ring the anthems of the free, 
Hand and hand we'll meet rejoicing 

Around the flag of Tennessee." 



162 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

On the water we have the gallant Semms and Matit, 
bringing dismay to the enemy. We have many true and de- 
termined men, who will never yield while the life blood flows 
through their veins. I have no fears for our cause. Our 
martyrs have not ofl:ered up their lives in vain : 

'' For they never fail who die 

lu a just cause. The block may suck 

Their gore; their heads may sodden 

In the sun; their limbs be strung 

To city gates and castle walls: 

But still their spirits walk abroad, 

And never rest until the great cause triumphs." 



CHAPTER XII. 



NEWNAX MOBILE. 



January 1, 1864. — A bitter cold day. The sun is shining 
as brightly as if there never had been a cloud to veil its 
glory. I trust it is ominous of what the coming year will bring 
to us, and the clouds now overhanging our national horizon 
will soon vanish forever. 

" The cause of truth and human weal, 

O God above< 
Transfer itfi'om the sword's appeal 

To peace and love." 

We all know how disastrously the year ended for us, but 
as one of our poets has said, " Hope springs eternal in the 
human breast," so it is not much wonder I wrote the above 
hopeful sentiments in my journal, when there was so much 
sunshine after such a dismal niglit. Trusting that our calam- 
ities will be of interest to my readers, I shall go on with my 
narrative. 

Three days after the auspicious first, part of our hospital 
was destroyed by lire. Several of the wounded were slightly 
injured by being removed, but otherwise we did not suffer 
much. Though the fire did not reach us, we had everything 
moved from our rooms ; among the articles were two barrels 
of whiskey and a box of coffee — the latter just received from 
Wilmington. Miss Womack and myself were seated for some 
time upon our ''truck" taking care of the hospital valuables, 
and watching the fire. As a number of parties had been given 
in Newnan about this time, Miss W. cried out : " Oh ! if the 



164 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

people would only keep from dancing we would not have this 
trouble ! " I am certain I echoed her sentiments. The win- 
ter, passed with the army in comfortable quarters at Dalton, 
Ga., and about the middle of January I had a letter from my 
brother in which he drew a g-lorious picture of the enemy's 
flying in dismay and confusion at their next meeting, and the 
wiping out of the disgrace of Missionary Kidge. He was in 
fine spirits, and he, as well as his companions, had had boxes 
full of good things at Christmas sent from their homes. Miss 
Womack was enthusiastic about her own State, Louisiana, and 
like Governor Brown about Georgia, thought the other states 
very good in their way, but they were not Louisiana. 

One dny Dr. Hughes brought several cavalrymen to dine 
with us (I have forgotten from whose command), and they 
claimed to be old friends of Miss Womack. These gentlemen 
told her of a friend who had married a Federal general. 
They were a good deal annoyed that this lady had lowered 
herself m such a disgraceful manner. I said : " No Alabama 
girl would be guilty of such an act." Miss Womack instantly 
replied : " The girl was so ugly no Confederate would have her." 

I never omitted an opportunity of telling her anything I 
knew in dispar;igement of the soldiers from her State. The 
States being all alike to me, she knew I Avas joking, though I 
always sympathized more with men whose homes were 
farthest off, and whose Sttites were in the hands of the enemy. 
Miss Womack was fine company, and after the toils of the 
day were over, while still working for the soldiers, I would 
tell her of my day's experience, all of which was of the 
greatest interest to her. 

As the men's tobacco lay scattered over their beds, Miss 
Womack and I used to make bags for it from scraps given us 
by the ladies of Newnan. 

The Coweta House was converted into a hospital for Flor- 



NEWNAN — MOBILE. 165 



ida troops, and Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Harris were its mat- 
rons. Its surgeon, Dr. Adams, being a deacon in the Episcopal 
Ctiurch, held service in the dining room every Sunday morn- 
ing. 

A lady near our hospital lost a child, and I, along with 
several others, sat np with the corpse. Quite a political dis- 
cussion took place, a lady taking the lead. She denounced 
President Davis and said Stephens ought to be in his place. 
I had heard so much of this kind of talk among the women, 
that I sometimes thought it a pity that tve could not have the 
control, for we knew exactly how affairs should l)e managed. 
Col. Berry, a very handsome young gentleman, a graduate of 
West Point, was of the company. He was then lame from a 
wound received in Virginia; had served under General Jack- 
son and did not admire him as a commander, saying he was 
entirely too rash. So not even such a renowned soldier was 
without his traducers. 

We were all 'much interested in the escape of General 
Morgan from prison. He was then receiving quite an ovation 
at Richmond. He had visited the Libby prison, and said our 
humane treatment of prisoners was a great contrast to the 
northern people's treatment of ours. He hoped we would 
never imitate their cruelty, but there was not much fear of 
that. 

I spent the month of February in Mobile and found the 
people gayer than ever. At that time, there being no bridge 
across the river, we had to cross in a steamer, and we came 
nearly having a disaster in striking against the numerous 
forts erected for the defense of the city. I met a friend, Cap- 
tain Richmond, on the boat whose presence was most fortu- 
nate to me at such a dangerous time. This gentleman was a 
brother of the lamented Major Richmond, who was killed at 
Chickamauga. 



166 GLEANINGS FIIOM SOUTHLAND. 

Provisions were higher than ever, but much was being 
done to alleviate the privations of those whose husbands were 
in the array, also for the soldiers' widows and orphans. The 
relief societies were as energetic as heretofore. When blank- 
ets could not be had for the troops, many cut their carpets up 
for them. 

Upon my arrival a party was given in my honor at my 
father's house, which I protested against most vehemently, but 
all to no purpose. I must confess that I could not but see the 
benefit these reunions had upon the troops. All being away 
frcm their Ironies, the mingling in refined society had a most 
beneficial effect. At " my party " were many members of the 
29th Alabama regiment, and they were splendid looking men. 
They had been in the service ever since the war, but had been 
in no battles; but alas, their doom was not far off, for one-half 
of them were killed around Atlanta, 

Music, dancing to the piano, and all kinds of amusements 
were the order of the evening. Captain Haily, of the '29th 
Alabama regiment, prevailed upon me to dance, and I told 
him I felt sadly out of place, but he did all he could to per- 
suade me I was doing no harm. Poor fellow, he was amongst 
the first killed around Atlanta. He was a noble specimen of 
a high-toned, generous hearted southerner. 

The refreshments at the party consisted of rye coffee, 
with milk, wheat bread and butter. No feast at Delmonico's 
ever gave more pleasure than these simple viands. It was 
amusing to hear some of the soldiers tell how much good the 
delicious coffee did them. A great improvement on the pine- 
knot lights was a very good oil distilled from pitch. Privates 
and officers mingled together at these socials. 

The wherewithal to procure something to eat was still 
the fashionable topic of conversation. We would meet a 
friend on the street and after the customary remarks about 



NEWNAN JIOBII.E. 167 



health, etc., etc., came the food question. At times we would 
be fortunate enough to meet a friend who had just gotten 
some tea or real coffee, A whispered invitation would be 
given to come and get the treat, and no need to give the invi- 
tation twice. 

The next subject was something to wear. Davis called 
upon the ladies to wear nothing but homespun, but stout as 
it was, it was found not to be economical as it did not look 
well after being washed. We dyed everything that we could, 
and our dye was the various roots that grew all around us. 
Beautiful articles of wear were made out of the ravelings of 
carpets, or old worsted of any kind. Pretty hats were made 
out of palmetto, and handsome flowers for the hats out of 
chicken feathers. 

Calico was $8 per yard, gingham $13, children's shoes 
$50, and ladies 175 a pair. But then, one dollar of gold was 
was equal to twenty of currency. 

Several times the cry of "wolf" — the enemy coming — 
was heard, but little or no heed was paid to it, as the cry had 
been raised so often that we thought it better to wait until he 
came before leaving. The mayor and General Maury had 
large bills posted all over the city urging the people to leave, 
as it was going to be defended at all hazards, but their peti- 
tions were unheeded. 

One report said that an immense army was coming 
through Florida, another through Mississippi, and another 
by Pascagoolaj a town on the coast, and at the same time the 
Federal fleet was to attack the forts down the bay. For a 
short time we thought poor Mobile would be gobbled up all 
at once. But we were not honored then with a visit from our 
dreaded foes. 

We visited the gunboat, I think the Tennessee, a very 
formidable looking affair, and when Lieutenant Jordan showed 



168 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

US where the men were to be stowed, in case of a battle, I 
thought I would prefer facing the bullets outside. We saw 
several other gunboats, but did not go on board. 

On my return to Newnan I had the pleasure of meeting 
Lieutenant Sewell, of the 24th Alabama regiment, who had 
been on a furlough to Mobile. On his appearing downhearted 
about our cause, I asked him how long he had been in Mobile, 
he replied: "Two weeks ;" I answered, "Just long enough to 
become demoralized, as scarcely any one near the army, or 
in it, ever became lowspirited." He said he had noticed the 
same thing himself. He then began to compliment the ladies, 
but I begged him to desist, for of such talk I had become really 
weary, and furthermore said I did not think they deserved so 
much laudation, and that if we were whipped, much of the 
blame could be laid at our door. He had the candor to ac- 
quiesce in all I said. 

I was once told by a publisher that I ought to have wo- 
ven a little romance into my book, "Hospital Life." I did not 
see how I could, it being an " ow^er tiue tale." I shall relate an 
episode, which the reader may call romantic, if he or she 
pleases. 

While at the Cherokee Springs, one of the convalescents 
used to blow a horn quite artistically, I thought, for the men 
to come to their meals. I passed him several times, and com- 
plimented him on the blowing of the horn. This was all I 
knew of the man. 1 was not a little astonished, when one 
day a very tall well dressed German called upon me, greeting 
me in the most friendly manner. He could not understand 
why I did not remember him. I was certain he had never 
been one of my patients, and it took him some time to bring 
himself to my recollection, he being the horn blower at the 
Springs. Nothing daunted at this, he made himself, so he 
thought, quite agreeable.- He appeared quite captivated by 



NEWNAN MOBILE. 169 



Miss Womack who, by the way, was a very handsome young- 
lady. He was on most intimate terms, he said, with some of 
her relatives in the army, some of whom were high in com- 
mand. He was to call the next day and take some articles 
from her to them. After he left I told Miss Womack that I 
did not like his action, and, that really I did not know him, 
and it would not do for her to send anything by him to her 
relatives. So the next morning when he called for the pack- 
age, she put on her hat and excusing herself walked out. We, 
of course, thought this would be the last of him, but he was 
not to be put off in any such manner. In a few days she re- 
ceived a long letter from him saying he had fallen in love 
with her at "first sight." He expected to pass in a few days 
on the train, and as he could not stop, he begged her to meet 
him down there. Of course, we were both astonished at the 
man's impertinence, and thought the best plan would be not 
to notice the letter at all. But this gallant knight, being too 
much enamored to be put off", and knowing " That faint heart 
never won fair lady," sent epistle after epistle filled with ex- 
pressions of his undying love. The matter becoming quite 
serious, we sent for Dr. Hughes and told him the whole story. 
At first he was a little vexed and then commenced to laugh. 
He told us that this Adonis had senttbe same effusions to at 
least a half a dozen of some of the most prominent young 
ladies in Newnan, whose names he had managed to get hold 
of. There was some thoughts of having him punished, but it 
was proved that he was perfectly harmless, and had a mania 
on the one subject, viz. : that of falling in love. So thus ended 
Miss W.'s love affair, which caused many a good laugh. The 
man was a bugler, and we used to tell her that he would blow 
his bugle when he arrived at the depot, and she must be ready 
to run and meet him. 

As spring advanced all was activity in our army, and the 
1 1 



170 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

cars were constantly passing filled with troops going to their 
commands. Johnston had superceded Bragg, and every one 
was on tip-toe of expectation. When he took command he 
gave every tenth man a two- week's furlough, and my brother 
was one of the fortunate ones. He stopped to see me on his 
return from home. He said while in Mobile he had gone to a 
party every night. His lady friends had given him quite a 
quantity of tobacco bags for, to use his own words, " some 
poor fellows whose mothers and sisters were within the ene- 
my's lines." Miss Womack added to his stock, as the " poor 
fellows " were from Louisiana. 

Newnan had become quite gay and numbers of parties 
were given. Miss Womack and myself refused all invitations 
to attend. Several concerts were given for the benefit of the 
wounded, and to those we went. Of course the musicians 
were amateurs, but some of the music was very fine. Mrs. 
Dr. Gamble sang with much expression a Scotch song, " The 
Lass o' Gourie," which was loudly encored. 

As the hospitals were being emptied to make room for 
the wounded of the expected battle, we had a little time to 
spare. One Sunday afternoon (April 8), Miss Womack, Mrs. 
Bears, of the Buckner hospital. Dr. Hughes, and myself strayed 
into the woods. " The hoary worshipers of Deity " were 
budding forth with all the freshness and beauty of young 
spring. The woods were filled with wild flowers, and a soft 
spirit was sighing through the trees, and cast a soothing influ- 
ence over all, making us forget for a while the cares and strife 
with which we were surrounded. We sat upon some logs 
and sang hymns, and " Old Hundred " brought memories of 
the past to us all. Dr. Hughes joined in the singing as heart- 
ily as any of us. He was an old gentleman from Kentucky, 
and had left wife and home for the cause. He told us that 
his daughters, in Louisville, were indefatigable in working for 



NEWNAN MOBILE. 171 



our men who were in the northern prisons. They and other 
ladies had made thousands of suits of clothes and taken them 
to the men in the prisons. 

We had another hospital added to our number, the " Gam- 
ble," named after our post-surgeon. Two very excellent ladies, 
Mrs. Dr. Wildman and Miss Rigby, were the matrons. Dr. De- 
vine was chief surgeon, and Dr. Wildman, who had left Tus- 
caloosa as surgeon of an Alabama regiment, was his assistant. 
I received a letter from my brother dated April 20, in which 
he said the enemy were in heavy force at Ringgold, and : 
" We are expecting an attack. I have just finished my wash- 
ing and am ready for them." 

Even at such times there were marriages and giving in 
marriage. On May 3, Dr. Devine led to the altar Dr. Cal- 
houn's oldest daughter. The affair was quite a grand one for 
the times. Dr. Quintard came from Atlanta to perform the 
ceremony, which took place in the Presbyterian church at 11 
a. ra. The church was darkened and lit with lamps and 
candles, which sent forth an unpleasant odor. There were 
nine bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen. Many 
of the latter came from the army, as that number of young 
men could not have been found in the whole county. On 
looking at the ladies' dresses, which were made of brand new 
Swiss muslin, I could not keep from thinking of the cost, and 
wondering where such a quantity had been gotten. The last 
I had heard of was fifty dollars a yard, and could scarcely be 
gotten even for that. So much beauty and so many fine 
dresses, enhanced by the uniforms worn by the young men, 
made quite an impressive scene. This was the first time an 
Episcopal clergymen had officiated in the place. At night Dr. 
Quintard preached a splendid sermon in the Methodist church, 
which was crowded. He used very little of the church service 
as books were scarce. He told us about a grand religious 



172 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

revival in the army in which many souls had been won to 
Christ. Nearly all of the chief officers had joined the church. 
Bishop Lay, of Arkansas, was with the army and doing much 
good. Dr. Quintard, along with Mrs. Harrison, spent an even- 
ing with us, and the next morning at 4 o'clock we gave him 
breakfast before starting on the train. 

I am now about to relate some of the horrors which Sher- 
man's " march to the sea " entailed. My readers must not tire, 
for I am writing sad, sad truths, and all wars are terrible, 
no matter where prosecuted, or for what cause. About the 
middle of May Sherman commenced to move, and our army re- 
treated from one place to another until we thought he never 
would be checked. It took all the faith we could get to feel 
that Johnston's movement was the right one. One terrible 
battle after another was fought, and though our loss was 
nothing to that of the enemy, it was bad enough. How the 
Georgians did denounce General Johnston for permitting their 
state to be run over! As far as we could learn, he had the 
full confidence of the army, which was everything. 

On May 15, accompanied by some ladies and gentlemen 
of Newnan, I went to Atlanta with supplies for the wounded, 
and to see if we could be of any service. About daylight of 
the 16th, Mrs. Harris and myself went to the Gate City hos- 
pital — the receiving one — and I shall never forget the sights 
which greeted us. The building was full, and Mr. Tucker, 
the head nurse, told us he had dressed the wounds of four 
hundred since 4 o'clock the previous afternoon. He had been 
up all night at his work. Of all the distressing scenes which 
it had been my fate to witness, I thought the one that morn- 
ing excelled them all. The day was damp and gloomy, and 
the prospect — oh ! how cheerless ! Look which way we would, 
hundreds of wounded men, dirty, bloody and weary, met our 
gaze, and when I thought of the hundreds more which were 



NEWNAN MOBILE. 173 



expected, I was filled with despair. I felt like humbling my- 
self in the dust and praying, as I had never done before, that 
God would send us the blessed boon of peace. 

" llath Liberty required 

Such human hecatombs ? 
Is there no path to freedom 

But through this moral gloom ? 
Or must it still go onward, 

This carnage, blood and fire, 
Uutil each flowery hill-top 

Becomes a Mount Moriah ? 
Forbid it, God Almighty! 

Thy voice once heard again, 
Rolls back the tide of battle. 

And stops the bloody reign!" 

Mrs Harris heard that her son was wounded and had been 
sent to Newnan, so she resolved to return immediately, but as 
no trains were going there, she could not do so that day. 

Several ladies and myself went to the train as it steamed 
in from the scene of conflict, and beheld a woeful sight. 
Train after train, filled outside and inside with hundreds of 
wounded — the worst cases were on mattresses in box cars. As 
the men fought behind breastworks, they were chiefly wounded 
on the head and upper limbs. Old gentlemen and ladies were 
there to meet the poor fellows with baskets full of edibles and 
buckets full of milk, coffee and lemonade, and some had wine. 
I noticed one aristocratic looking old gentleman who wore a 
large white apron, serving out the rations with as much zest 
as the youngest there. I was told that this work had been 
going on ever since the war commenced. Many a time tables 
were set at the depot for the benefit of the well soldiers going 
from and returning to their commands. 

Our party went to the Gate City hospital, where we found 
many ladies dressing wounds. Strange as it may seem, I had 



174 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

never dressed one, always having plenty other work to do. I 
managed to dress the wound on the hand of one poor fellow, 
and just as I got through, Dr. Jackson, who had come with 
us from Newnan, requested me to come and assist him. 

We were in a large hall crowded with wounded, some 
walking about, others sitting on the floor — all waiting to have 
their wounds dressed. As soon as this was done, they were 
sent off to make room for others. Surgeons, nurses and ladies 
were so intently employed that they did not appear to notice 
each other. I brought the patients to Dr. Jackson and un- 
bound the stiff bandages, making the wounds ready for the 
doctor to dress. These men were called by the surgeons 
slightly wounded. One poor fellow from Alabama had both 
hands disabled, from one he had lost three fingers, and was 
shot through the wrist of the other. This man was perfectly 
helpless. Several of the "slightly wounded" had each lost 
an eye. 

After getting through I went into the wards, where I 
saw many ladies waiting on the wounded and doing all they 
could to comfort them. One of the patients recognized nie, 
and gave me the joyfal intelligence that my brother was well, 
having seen him the night before. This young man's name 
was Lamar from Mobile, and a member of the 40th Alabama 
regiment. 

It was a bright moonlight night, and just as we had got- 
ten through with our work, a number of people came to the 
hospital with provisions. Dr. Welford, who had come with 
us and several others, took the food all through the building and 
found no one needing it. We then took it to the depot, where 
were many men lying on the platform awaiting transportation, 
but even they did not need the food. The noble people of At- 
lanta did their duty to the suffering, and scarcely deserved 
their subesequent fate. 



NEWNAN — MOBILE. 175 



Dr. Bemiss, then assistant medical director, was going 
around in liis usual kind manner, seeing that the men had all 
the attention necessary. About 10 o'clock, he took Mrs. Har- 
ris and myself to stay all night with his friend, Mrs. Lowen- 
thal. She received us with the greatest kindness, and after a 
sumptuous supper, considering the times, we retired to an ele- 
gant apartment, where I slept the sleep of the just, for we 
had passed through a most trying, wearisome day. 

I awoke at daylight next morning and hurriedly dressing 
myself, returned to the hospital to assist Mr. Tucker with the 
wounded he expected would come during the night. While 
crossing the railroad, I met a friend, Mr. Gribble, who accom- 
panied me to my destination. No more wounded had come 
but there were many there from the previous night, for whom 
I made toddies. The matron of the hospital was ill, and the 
nurses and doctors were completely worn out, so the room in 
which we were the day before, was filled with the debris 
we had left, none being able to clean up. Pile after pile of 
rags, covered with blood and water, just as they had been 
taken from the wounds, were lying all around and presented a 
sickening sight. There were many things to which we had to 
shut our eyes if we wished to do any good, for they could not 
be avoided. 

I met Dr. Calvert of the 38th Alabama, who had several 
wounded men from his regiment, and for whom I procured rags 
and assisted him all I could. Being well provided with pro- 
visions I got hira a cup of coffee from the hospital and gave 
him a good breakfast. Not having had anything to eat for 
some time, he ate with a relish, though surrounded by the 
debris I have just described. As we had to wait several 
hours for our train, Dr. Calvert took me to visit several other 
hospitals which were filled with wounded. 

On my return to Newnan I paid a visit to a Major Davis, 



176 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

of the 20th Ahibama regiment, who was wounded. He said 
that with all of General Johnston's retreating he was a great 
general, and the army had every faith in his generalship. 
Major Davis told me he had been victorious in every battle, and 
in all of his retreats he never left even an old wheel behind. 

There had been much talk about one of our cavalry 
officers who had shot six prisoners whom he thought might 
be recaptured. It was then reported that the troops had 
petitioned General Johnston to send the officer through the 
lines, and let the enemy do as they wished with him. Major 
Davis approved of the petition, and regretted it had not been 
granted, as the Federals had shot six of our innocent men in 
retaliation. 

On the 20th I again visited Atlanta, and witnessed the 
same sad scenes as before. I met several friends who had 
been driven down by the advancing Federals, among them 
Dr. and Mrs. Hoppins. They had hurriedly left Kingston, as 
the enemy were coming in by Rome. Dr. Hoppins said the 
scene among the inhabitants at the enemy's coming was dis- 
tressing, as their path was marked by ruin and desolation. 
Johnston was falling back and the Georgians were in dismay 
in consequence. It was said that many petitions had been 
sent to Davis to try and have the enemy checked. 

While standing on a gallery in Atlanta I heard a young 
man grumbling about a doctor who had hurried him off from 
a hospital in Cassville without giving him time' to get his 
clothes. He was denouncing officers in general, and spoke as 
if he was fighting to please them. After listening to this 
tirade for a while I said : " For what are you fighting V" He in- 
staptly replied : " For my country, of course." I then repeated 
some of his remarks. He said he knew such talk was wrong, 
but really the men had much to endure from their officers. 

I had heard complaints of this kind before, but supposed 



NEWNAN MOBILE. 177 



the men were, at times, to blame. The officers were elected 
as our civilians are, and the electioneering was the same ; so, 
whoever got the most votes got the office, and not always from 
personal merit. This was one of the evils of our citizen 
soldiery, and I suppose could not be avoided. 

I was told of a captain of a battery who was intoxicated 
while the company was being drilled. He imagined that one 
of the men had treated him with contempt, and for this offense 
had the man tied to a gun carriage and dragged for about 
twenty miles. The man who had received this inhuman 
treatment was so indignant at the insult that he immediately 
applied for an exchange into a company of sharpshooters, 
many thought for the purpose of shooting this petty officer, 
who had abused his " brief authority." 

Of course this was an exceptional case, for we had num- 
bers of officers who were noble men, whom the men under 
them loved devotedly. And the terrible slaughter of the 
officers proved that there was no lack of bravery among them. 

We had several wounded and sick men in our hospital 
from the 29th Alabama regiment, and one, a lad about sixteen, 
aroused all of our sympathies. Being very ill, he requested 
me to write to his father and let him know his condition. I 
said: "Why not write to your mother?" He hesitated a 
while, and tears filling his eyes, with quivering lip, he said : 
" She has gone deranged on account of all her sons going into 
the army. I ran away about two years ago. " 

About the end of May we were much alarmed on account 
of the intelligence that five thousand Federal cavalry M^ere 
but a few miles distant. All was in a flurry and dismay. 
We sent off the men and negroes to the woods, and every- 
thing of value was hidden. After being kept for some time 
in suspense and dread, we found the scare was caused by 
some of our own cavalry. 



178 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

For weeks the enemy had been forcing our army back 
and a captain from Tennessee, who lost a leg at New Hope 
church, was some time in the enemy's lines. He said they 
told him they had lost five to our one in that battle and at 
all of the others as well. 

General Polk was killed on June 14 while reconnoiter- 
ing. At the commencement of the war, when the people 
of the Noi-th were insulting us in every possible way, I 
thought it the duty of all to fight in defense of their rights. 
When Bishop Polk laid aside his pastoral staff to take instead 
the sword of justice, I felt proud of our having such a cham- 
pion. Some regretted the step he took, but he did not put off 
his priestly robe without deliberating upon it prayerfully, and 
to use the language of Dr. Quintard, " Patriotism, inherited 
rights, a just cause, present good, the claim of prosperity, all 
beckoned him on, and he clutched the sword of justice and 
fought bravely for home, truth and God." He never forgot 
while fighting against his earthly foe, to set an example to all, 
that a man could be a soldier of his country and at the same 
time be a soldier of the cross. He won by his gentle and 
manly bearing the hearts of the men of the whole army, and 
will never be forgotten. 

" Thy name our charging hosts along 

Sliall be the battle word ; 
Thy fall the theme of choral song, 

From virgin voices poured ; 
To weep would do thy glory wrong, 

Thou shalt not be deplored." 

The enemy said our army was a rabble. Has the world 
ever seen such a rabble ? General Polk was one of many such 
as we had in our rabble. 

I shall again quote from my journal : 

June 22. — Good news from all quarters. The gallant 



NEWNAN MOBILE. 179 



Forrest has gained a victory in North Mississippi, nearly 
capturing a whole command. Morgan is again in the saddle, 
bringing dismay to the loyal Kentuckians. We have gained 
a victory at Ivynchburg, Va. Grant has effected nothing at 
Richmond. The enemy have been defeated in Florida. 
Johnston is teaching them a good lesson up here. 

We had so many sick and wounded from the " retreats," 
that every available building in the place was impressed for a 
hospital, the young ladies' college sharing the fate of the 
others. The court house was a very large building, situated 
in the center of a square. We used it with tents and sheds 
in the yard. I was much pleased with the sheds, and the men 
were delighted with them. Their ventilation was perfect, as 
they had canvass curtains which could be hoisted at conven- 
ience. The good people of Newnan found out before we left 
that hospitals were not such disagreeable affairs as they 
imagined. I shall quote here from one of their papers on the 
subject : 

''When the hospitals first came there was great prejudi(?e 
against them, the people fearing the local sickness would be 
increased. But the reverse effect had been produced, for 
never since Newnan has been a town, has it been more healthy, 
more quiet, or more pleasant as a place of residence. " After 
complimenting all of the officials, the editor ended with a de- 
served one to the sick and wounded soldiers, who from time 
to time filled the hospitals. He said "that by their quiet, un- 
obtrusive conduct, urbane manners, and dignified bearing, 
they had convinced the most skeptical that Southern soldiers 
and gentlemen are synonymous terms." 

On July 18 a scout brought in word that a number of 
men guarding a bridge near us had been captured, and that a 
large force was advancing on the town. The post-command- 
ant, Colonel Griffin, immediately telegraphed to Johnston for 



1<S0 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

troops, and then collecting all he could, went out to meet the 
enemy. Not a moment was lost by us in preparing for the 
reception of our foes. All of the convalescents, nurses, ne- 
groes, poultry and cattle were sent oflE to the woods. A large 
wagon was filled with our valuables, including the Avhiskey, 
and sent to parts unknown. We ladies packed valises with 
what would really be needed, should we also have to fly to the 
woods for refuge. Many of our friends kindly begged us to 
come to their homes, but we thought we would be safer in the 
hospital, so there we remained. The excitement in town was 
intense. I do not suppose there was one family who retired 
all night. On looking out we saw every home lit up, and at 
all hours could hear the noise of wagons hurrying past, as 
all that was movable M'as taken off. 

About midnight my young assistant, Miss Womack, con- 
cluded that she could stand this harassing life no longer, and 
made up her mind to go to an aunt living near West Point. 
I disliked to see her go, but not knowing whiit our fate would 
be by morning, said nothing to detain lier. I went down to 
the tj'ain to see her off, when we met a gentleman who in- 
formed us that the conductor, fearing capture, would not be 
down from Atlanta until morning. What a night of dread 
we passed ! Every little while a scout v.ould ride hastily in, 
telling us of the enemy's advance, and every sound we heard 
we made sure they were upon us. 

Miss Womack knew much more about their outrages than 
the rest of us, and in consequence was much more alarmed. 
I begged her to desist from telling us about them, for it 
would do no good, and we required all the nerve we could get 
to face our trials. 

The next morning we waited in vain for our foes, and 
could not but wonder at their delay. Our chief cook did not 
run, and as we had many wounded to feed, all went to work 



NEWNAN MOBILE. 181 



to get breakfast, fully expecting the Yankees to eat it instead 
of onr men. We got through with the breakfast in fear and 
trembling, but still no tidings of the foe. We then went to 
work to prepare dinner, and while shelling peas and peeling 
potatoes, Miss Womack was all the time wondering how the 
Yankees would like their dinner, for we knew they would not 
be backward in helping themselves. By the time all was 
ready, the joyful news reached us that Johnston had sent cav- 
alry and driven the enemy back. We breathed free again, 
but we knew our respite would be short, as there appeared to 
be nothing to keep them back. 

The men returned perfectly exhausted, as they had to 
spend the night in the woods, and were very unfit for such 
exposure. The poor darkies had "toted " all of their clothes 
for fear the Yankees would steal them and send them to their 
people in the North. Ridiculous as this appears now, it was 
the belief then, and many a tale was told to show that our 
enemy was no respecter of persons, and stole from white and 
black alike. 

We were so grateful for being again free that we had 
many a good laugh at the running and hiding. It was a mercy 
we were enabled to laugh, for the anxiety was enough to kill 
one. Miss Womack did not get off for several days, and as 
soon as she took her departure, we were told that she would 
be met by a raid at West Point, so it was useless to go to any 
place where the enemy could not come. 

After Miss Womack left we had much more to do, as 
there was one ward in which the men were as helpless as in- 
fants — one splendid looking man who had been shot in the 
spine could not use his hands from paralysis. These men had 
to be fed, and it was while assisting the nurses in this ward 
that the following event took place : 

On July 2S word was brought in that a large body of the 



182 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

enemy were about to visit us. Having heard so many false 
reports little heed was paid to this. About 9 o'clock at night 
the sky was illuminated by a fearful glare of light in the 
direction of Palmetto, a small town nearby. Well knowing 
what the glare of light meant, we got ready. Whiskey and 
everything else of consequence, was sent to the woods, the 
men who were able going also. Some of the negro women at 
first refused to go, having suffered so much before, but think- 
ing better of it in time they ran off " toting " their " truck " 
with them. I tried hard to get one old woman who had suf- 
fered much at the last run to remain, but to no purpose. She 
was so old and feeble that I am certain the enemy could not 
have been coaxed to take her. 

On July 29 scouts reported that the enemy had gone in 
the direction of Jonesboro on the Macon road, so we had re- 
spite again. The next day, the 30th, while 1 was in the court 
house yard assisting in giving the most helpless of the 
wounded breakfast, I saw a man' gallop to town, and he was 
immediately surrounded by a number of men eager to hear 
the news. He reported the enemy marching down on us, being 
then only six miles off. He had just ceased speaking when a 
locomotive gave a most unearthly whistle, and instantly we 
heard the firing of musketry. I was speaking to Captain Cur- 
ran at the time and his countenance changed to one of dismay, 
for he could not move a limb to save himself. He said, " That 
is fighting and very near." 

Such another stampede among the well men was rarely ever 
witnessed. The crowd around the scout dispersed in double 
quick time, and as quick as a flash of lightning disappeared. 
I hurried across the street to secure some money and trinkets 
given me by the men for safety, when several shots whizzed 
past me and struck Mr. Dougherty's house on the corner. So 
for once I was under the fire of the enemy. After securing 



NEWNAN MOBILE. 183 



my valuables, several ladies and myself started to look at the 
fighting, when we heard cheers and shouts of " The Yankees 
are running." A gentleman came along and made us hurry 
away, as the enemy were placing cannon on a hill nearby, in- 
tending to shell the town. 

The previous night General Roddy and his command 
were passing on their way to Atlanta, and for some reason 
were detained at Newnan all night. The engineer on the 
train saw a reconnoitering body of Federal cavalry coming, 
so blew his whistle as an alarm. In an instant our soldiers 
flew to arms. The enemy not knowing there were any 
troops in the place, thought the train was being run ofl:", so 
fired a volley at it and demanded a surrender. Their answer 
was a volley of musketry, which made them retreat much 
faster than they came. This was the firing I heard, and under 
which I was nearly shot. 

General Roddy collected his men as fast as possible and 
placed them in line of battle. They were cavalry, but their 
horses had gone another road. We saw the general riding 
about in haste without a coat or a saddle, having been aroused 
from his slumbers by the melee. A lady and myself did all 
we could to get him both, but were unsuccessful, as the best 
we could do in the hurry and confusion was to throw him a 
blanket in lieu of a saddle. 

Our suspense was fearful, as it was rumored that the 
enemy had surrounded the town, and we did not know the 
moment the balls would be flying in our midst. How my 
heart bled for our helpless wounded, momentarily expecting 
a ball to be thrown in among them ! They were all moved 
into the court house, our strongest building, but which a can- 
non ball could easily have demolished. Roddy's men having 
had no breakfast, the citizens sent them hot coftee and baskets 
full of provisions, which they ate while standing in ranks. 



184 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

About noon Wheeler's cavalry was seen approaching the 
town. Oh ! how joyfully we hailed them ! They came gal- 
loping in by the different roads and never stopped, but rushed 
on after the foe, who, hearing of Wheeler's coming, were hastily 
retreating. When about four miles from town our troops 
came up with them and had quite a battle. 

The booming of cannon was borne in upon our ears for 
hours. Not knowing in what force the enemy were, we did 
not know what to expect. We eagerly listened to see if the 
sound came nearer, but it did not seem to move from the one 
spot. About 4 o'clock word was brought in that we had 
killed many and captured the rest. The wounded from both 
sides were then brought in, and hundreds of well prisoners as 
well, in quite a different manner from what they had ex- 
pected. 

Dr. Hughes and other surgeons were on the battlefield, 
and the former said he never worked harder. Nearly all of 
the wounded were Fedei-als, who appeared very grateful for 
the kindness shown them. Before going on the battlefield 
Dr. Hughes sent word all over the county for the people to 
send in cooked provisions for our troops. Rich and poor sent 
something, for they were so thankful we had conquered. 

Everything was sent to Mrs. Williamson for distribution, 
and as soon as the troops arrived, assisted by several nurses, 
we fed them. They were in our yard, and we gave to the 
nurses, who handed the food to the men. Poor fellows, they 
were ravenous, and devoured the good things as fast as we 
could hand them out. 

Next day, August 1, the town was one scene of military 
display. Many fine horses were captured, as was also the 
cannon which was to have been used in shelling the town. I 
saw several fine flags, and was given a piece of one for a 
trophy. 



NEWNAN MOBILE. 185 



The Gamble hospital was about a mile from the city, and 
all were at breakfast and knew nothing of the enemy's ap- 
proach until the raiders fired into the hospital, at the same 
time shouting and yelling at a terrific rate. One of our con- 
valescents, Mr. Black, was stopping at a farm house where he 
went for a change. He was roused from his bed and made a 
prisoner. He said their consternation was great when they 
heard that Roddy and Wheeler were after them. The general 
commanding these raiders was named Cook and he made his 
escape. General Wheeler was very much blamed by the 
troops for allowing him to escape. My old friend. Dr. P. 
Thornton, who was with Wheeler, called upon me, and I told 
him how I had heard Wheeler censured. He said that 
Wheeler did not like running after raiders, and that his forte 
lay in guarding the rear of an army on a retreat, and more- 
over, that he had been chasing these raiders for several days 
and nights, and his men were completely worn out. Dr. 
Thornton also said he was certain that none would escape, as 
General Wheeler had troops still chasing them. 

A captain, from one of our hospitals, went to the battle as 
a spectator and took charge of two prisoners, promising to 
bring them" to town. Instead of doing so, he took them to the 
woods and shot them. When our men heard of the circum- 
stance, they were most indignant and vowed if they could 
get hold of the culprit they would hang him. When asked 
his reasons, he said his mother and sisters had received such 
barbarous treatment at the hands of the Federal soldiers, that 
he had sworn to be revenged. Many regretted that this 
young man, who had won enviable laurels on many a battle- 
field, should have tarnished his former good name by such an 
outrageous act, and all were certain that nothing but the 
direst provocation would have made him do it. 

The prisoners kept coming in for days after the fighting, 

12 



186 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND, 



and also many captured horses. One day sixty men were 
brought in at one time, and a most deplorable sight they pre- 
sented, being hatless, shoeless and their clothes in rags. These 
men had come to kill our people and devastate the country, 
and we all knew it, but much to the credit of our brave people 
at that time, the appearance of the prisoners excited nothing 
but pity. People of the North, I am relating facts, but are 
you going to believe me when I tell you that many of our men 
went dinnerless that day, and begged us to send their's to 
these poor unfortunates? We sent them all of our soup, and what 
bread we could spare, as we knew it would be some time ere 
the prison officials could get enough cooked. Our linen- 
master, Mr. Holt, sent them all the hats and shoes he could 
find. On beholding these poor creatures, I thought it was a 
pity the men at Washington could not be made to take their 
places, for then it would not be long ere we would have peace. 
We had only a few prisoners in our hospital, so one day sev- 
eral ladies and myself paid them a visit at the Buckner. In 
one of the wards nearly all were men from the Southern 
States — Kentucky, Tennessee, North Alabama and North 
Mississippi were represented. I was astonished at this and 
told them so, but they said they were fighting to save the 
Union, and they also said if the object of the war was to free 
the negro, nothing would make them fire a gun for any such 
purpose. I had heard many soldiers from the Northern States 
say the same thing. We had a little boy with us, and not- 
withstanding all their coaxing, the little fellow would not go 
near the prisoners. One of them remarked that he thought 
such behaviour strange in a child. I answered that instinct 
taught him who were his worst enemies. The man looked 
astonished, and said: "Why! we never hurt children! " I 
answered : "Burning their homes and destroying their food, 
I suppose, was not hurting them." This remark roused sev- 



NEW NAN — rMOBILB. 187 



eral of them and they exclaimed with one voice : " We never 
do such things, and would shoot a man as quick as you, who 
would be guilty of such outrages ! " I then asked them if 
any one had been shot for setting fire to Palmetto ? They an- 
swered : " No ; they could not find out who had done it." 
They said much about the kindness they received from the 
women of Georgia as they passed through ; they had given 
them their best to eat. At this they need not have felt at all 
flattered, for these ladies knew they would help themselves 
anyway, and while in the lion's power it was but wisdom to 
conciliate him as much as possible. I knew of several ladies 
in Newnan who commenced cooking for them as soon as their 
approach was known. I well knew this was not done for 
love. 

We saw a Captain Shorty, of Iowa, who had one hand 
cut off and was badly wounded in the other. He was a pitiful 
sight to behold. One of the nurses was from New York, but 
a native of Yorkshire, England. On expressing my astonish- 
ment that one of his nation would aid the oppressor, he an- 
swered that he was ashamed of his native land for sympa- 
thizing with us as much as it had done. He then gave us his 
views upon slavery, and strange as it may appear, he was the 
first abolitionist I had met during the war. He was much 
grieved, as like many others, his time had expired, and were 
he not a prisoner, would be at home. I asked him if all re- 
turned home when their time was out. He answered : " Yes, 
we have three reserves, and your men have been fighting only 
the first." 

Subsequent events proved that reserves or no reserves, 
our poor, blockaded and hemmed-in country fought the mighty 
North and nearly the whole world besides. All of these pris- 
oaers told us that they felt certain they would be captured, 
and the reason they were sent down as raiders was to draw 



GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 



troops from Johnston's army. Their time being so nearly out, 
their capture would not matter. 

We spent nearly a year in Newnan, which was a long 
time in those eventful clays. About August 9 we were ordered 
to pack for another move. As retreating seemed to be our 
forte, it was not long ere we were all ready to march. All the 
patients who were able to be moved were sent off, and the 
others sent to the Coweta House. Dr. Smith, of Newnan, took 
charge of them, and the ladies were to give him all the assist- 
ance in their power. Johnston had been superceded by Hood, 
and as the army was moving east, we were left wholly unpro- 
tected, and raids were expected at any moment, hence the 
cause of our hasty removal. 

Of course Mrs. Williamson and myself disliked the idea 
of meeting our foes as much as anyone, but, in the haste of 
getting off, our poor fellows who were left behind, needed our 
care, so we remained with them until the ladies who were to 
take our places were initiated into their work. We were there 
several days, and scarcely an hour passed that there was not 
an alarm given that the Yankees were coming, and had we 
not been so busy, would, no doubt, have been frightened 
enough. I wore immense pockets in which I put my valu- 
ables. 

An old lady who was taking care of her sick son, lived 
across the river some fifteen miles from Newnan. She told 
me the Federal soldiers were all around her, and what they 
did not carry away they wantonly destroyed. They broke 
nearly all of her crockery into a thousand pieces. I met a 
Mr. Miller, visiting Mr. Dougherty, who told me these van- 
dals, after robbing him of everything worth taking, took some 
dressed leather which he prized very highly, and cut it into 
pieces. It seemed to me they were creating a market for 
their own wares. 



NEWNAN — MOBILE. 189 



We left many kind friends in Newnan, and after the sur- 
render, being cut off from my home by the rail tracks all 
being torn up, I was received with open arms by its hospit- 
able citizens. I had spent an evening at the house of Dr. 
Reese and was pleasantly entertained by his excellent wife and 
daughter, who were fine musicians. Another evening was spent 
at the house of Mr. Bigby, an eminent laAvyer and highly pol- 
ished gentleman. The supper was a most sumptuous repast 
and nearly everything on the table was of home production. 
But the supper was the least of our entertainment, as Mrs. 
Bigby, a most charming lady, was a poetess, and called the 
Mrs. Browning of the South. One of her late productions, 
" Judith," had appeared in the Field and Fireside. After 
being earnestly entreated by Dr. Hughes to read it, she did 
so, and we enjoyed the treat, for she lent to the " rhyme of the 
poet," the " music of her voice." She had a sister, Mrs. Judge 
Berry, as highly accomplished as herself, who was also a 
writer of note. 

The residences of these charming ladies were elegant, 
and were surrounded by parks and lovely flower gardens. 
There were many such homes in the place and all had an air 
of wealth and refinement. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

WEST POINT — AMERICUS MACON. 

We left Newnan on the 15th, much to the grief of a num- 
ber of our patients, but the ladies in Newnan were indefati- 
gable in their attentions to the poor fellows. The raiders 
never did go to the place until about the time of the sur- 
render. 

Our hospitals went by Atlanta and were detained there 
several hours. As Atlanta then was beseiged by Sherman, 
the shells flew all around the cars, but no one was hurt. We 
were afraid to go that way, so went by West Point, which 
place we reached the same day. As we missed the connec- 
tion to Columbus, we had to remain there all night. 

West Point is quite small, but contained some very 
pretty residences. At that time few cared for " fixing up " 
their homes, so they appeared in a forlorn condition. We had 
a very fine view of the surrounding country, from quite a 
formidable fort erected on an eminence. The men of the gar- 
rison were attentive and polite, and very kindly showed us all 
its mysteries. West Point was quite an important position, 
as it was the key to the granary of the Tennessee army, hence 
the cause of its defenses. The Chattahoochee River is very 
wide at this place, and was spanned by a very fine bridge. Its 
destruction was the object of General Cook's raiders. I be- 
lieve the troops defending the bridge were Joe Brown's 
militia. 

We visited the hospital, and the post-surgeon, Dr. Oslin, 
was delighted to see us, for though not personally acquainted 



WEST POINT AMERICUS MACON. 191 

we knew each other well from reputation. He was a friend 
of Miss Womack's, and he said if we would remain in his hos- 
pital, that Miss Womack, who lived near, would also come. 
We were very much tempted to do this, as we would be so 
much nearer the army than where we were going. Every 
hospital in the place was filled with wounded and sick, and 
in the event of a battle we did not see how they could be re- 
moved. 

We started for Columbus at 4 p. m., of the 16th, and after 
we had been going a short distance the locomotive ran off the 
track and derailed all of the cars, excepting the one on which 
we were, but no one was hurt. We remained on the car all 
night, and had a grand picnic in the morning, making our 
coffee and eating our breakfast on the roadside. We were de- 
tained there nearly all day, and as there was no sign of a hab- 
itation near, there was nothing for us to do but remain on the 
car. Senator Ben Hill, in wandering around the woods, came 
across an empty schoolhouse. Mrs. Williamson and myself, 
two young ladies, the Misses Leath, who were with him, ac- 
cepted his kind invitation to occupy the same. Senator Hill 
was taking the young ladies to Richmond to try and have 
them sent through the lines to their homes in New York. 

There being a fireplace in the schoolhouse, Mrs. William- 
son brought out her coffee pot, and ere long we had some de- 
licious pure coffee, so all opening their baskets, we had a 
sumptuous repast, and also a very pleasant, sociable time. 

About 3 in the afternoon a wood car was sent from 
Columbus and took us all on. We cut down branches of trees 
to protect us from the sun, and as we sped along, doubtless 
many thought " Birnam Wood " was moving. 

Miss A. Evans, the authoress, was on the train going to 
see a wounded brother in Columbus, and from her I learned 
that all was quiet in Mobile, though our navy had had a se- 



iQ'A GLEANINGS PROM SOUTHLAND. 

vere battle and been defeated, losing one splendid ram, the 
" Tennessee." 

We arrived at Macon the morning of the 17th, and paid 
twenty dollars for our breakfast at the hotel. We were in- 
formed by Drs. Bemiss and Stout that our hospitals were at 
Americus, which is near the Florida line. These gentlemen 
were extremely low-spirited, as they did not like the idea of 
coming so far south, and, indeed, none of us did. The train 
to Americus had gone, and we were in quite a dilemma about 
where to go, as another stay at the hotel would empty our 
purses. We called upon our old friend. Dr. Cannon, who had 
charge of the Wayside Hospital, and he kindly invited us to 
stay with himself and two daughters. They were living in 
two rooms, refugee style, and, I think, as happy and contented 
as they had ever been in their comfortable home in Ten- 
nessee. 

The war seemed to lift the minds of the people above the 
petty, every day annoyances of life, for it was remarkable 
with what facility all adapted themselves to their changed 
circumstances. Dr. Nagle and an officer who was stationed 
at Andersonville, spent the evening with us, and the behavior 
of the prisoners was t*he chief topic of conversation. As 
Americus is ten miles below Andersonville, we dreaded being j 
near so desperate a set of men. There were two parties 
among them, the Black Republicans and the Copperheads, and 
they often fought and killed each other. This officer said that 
he wished himself any place else, as it was revolting to be near 
them. \ 

The next day the rain came down in torrents, but Dr. 
Cannon kindly sent us to the depot in an ambulance, so we 
sped on our way south. Two of the hospitals from our post 
were at Fort Valley, where the train stopped a short time. 
Our next stopping place was at the now famous Anderson- 



WKST POINT AMERIOUS MACON. . 193 

ville, where we remained long enough to have a good view of 
the prisoners' quarters. I must say my antipathy to prison 
life was anything but removed by the sight. My heart sick- 
ened at seeing so many human beings crowded so closely to- 
gether. I asked a gentleman near me why this was done. 
He answered that we had not men enough to guard them were 
they scattered. And also that our limits were becoming so 
contracted that to keep them at all, we had to have them just 
where they were. 

At that time Lincoln and his advisers well knew the con- 
dition we were in, and how unable we were to do otherwise 
than we did, and knowing all this, these heartless men would 
not exchange. If they had done so, how much suffering on 
both sides would have been averted. It sickens me to think 
of so much inhumanity done by men calling themselves 
Christians ! Well, we have the consolation of knowing that, 
notwithstanding all of our sins, that sin cannot be laid at our 
door. 

We arrived at Americus on the 19th, weary and demor- 
alized by our " retreat." The weather was warmer, I thought, 
than in Mobile, as there we have the bay breeze. The men 
were working away as if we were never to make another 
move, and in a short time everything was in good order. I 
insert a letter received from my brother, to show that our 
soldiers were not demoralized, if we were : 

Bivouac, 11 miles west of Atlanta, 
August 4, 1864. 

My Dear Sister: Your kind favor of the 19th ult. came 
to hand. Since last writing you there has been many a hard 
fight, in which I am happy to say I was a participant. The 
Yankees are broken of shelling Rebel breastworks. They 
keep shelling all the time, but thanks be to God, there is not 
much damage done. It is astonishing to see two armies 



194 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 



drawn up, confronting each other for hours and hours, every- 
thing as still as a mouse, when all at once men rush to arms. 
Then commences the booming of cannon and the heavy roar 
of musketry. This kind of lighting has been going on for the 
last eighty-six or eighty -seven days, more or less, much to the 
detriment of Sherman and his hirelings. Poor old Sherman 
has a hard road to travel, and in my opinion will never reach 
Atlanta as long as Sergeant Hood intends keeping him out. 

We have just been relieved from a position on the left of 
our division, where we did some good firing, and came here 
this morning. The Yankee sharp-shooters are very trouble- 
some, and have been all through this trip, at least this cam- 
paign, Last night, while sleeping alongside of our guns, I was 
awakened by heavy moanings ; on inquiry, I found that an 
infantryman had been shot while asleep by a sharpshooter. 
Poor fellow! how I pitied him. There were several others 
hit at the same time, but thank God, none were killed. 

On the 26th or 27th, I have forgotten which, General 
Hood issued orders for every man on the line, excepting the 
men who were needed to work the guns, to have a musket in 
his hands. I took a musket, and on the 28th the Yankees 
pitched into our pickets, and such another rattling of mus- 
ketry I never heard for picketing. I gathered up my ammu- 
nition, and taking my gun, ran into a ditch alongside of the 
infantry, expecting the Yankees to charge, but it was only a 
feint on their part. The sound of small arms to me has be- 
come monotonous ; you may think I have become callous, but 
I have not. I am determined not to do anything that is in- 
consistent with ray duty, and through God's assistance I in- 
tend to do that to the letter. 

You must excuse me for not answering your last sooner, 
for I have been marching, digging and fighting all the time. 
I must close and smoke my pipe. Yours, etc., Jim. 



AVEST POINT — AMERICUS MACON. 195 

About the end of August Dr. Reese returned from the 
front, and was more sanguine of our success than ever. He 
said that the enemy's pickets were exchanging tobacco and 
newspapers with ours, and told them that Sherman was nearly 
exhausted and would soon have to give up. 

As Americus was supposed to be secure from raids, much 
cotton was sent there for safe keeping. The hospital over 
which Mrs. Williamson and myself presided was near an im- 
mense warehouse filled with the fleecy fabric. A small negro 
boy went into the yard of this place smoking a lighted piece 
of paper, which he, without thinking, threw among the cotton. 
It was late in the afternoon, and our room being upstairs, I 
looked out at the first cry of fire, and saw the flames leaping 
from one bale of cotton to another with as much rapidity as 
if they had been saturated with some inflammable substance. 
The scene was fearful, and, in a short time thousands of bales 
were destroyed. Two squares of buildings were burned, and 
our hospitals went with the rest. We saved our patients 
from harm, but very little else. 

The citizens were more than kind, and did all in their 
power to aid. Many of the country people came with wagons 
and took the patients the doctors were willing to have go, to 
their homes. We had tents put up in a large square, and the 
citizens fed the patients in them. Our wounded consisted 
chiefly of men who had gone home on furloughs, and from 
want of proper medical care their wounds would break out 
again. The suffering from gangrene of many of these poor 
fellows was distressing. The men used to murmur when the 
surgeons would not let them go home, but the doctors knowing 
what the result would be, were compelled to refuse, no matter 
how unkind they might appear. 

When Atlanta was evacuated a truce of ten days was given 
to the inhabitants to leave if they wished. Not a day passed 



196 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

that we did not see peop)e in wagons passing to find homes 
elsewhei'e ; many of them appeared forlorn and destitute. We 
were all much grieved to hear that one of our great chieftains, 
General John Morgan, was murdered, betrayed by a woman. 
But a short time before his death he took for his bride one of 
Tennessee's fairest daughters. She was then bereft of her all, 
and like the bride of Glenallen shall await 

" Like a love-lighted watchfiie all night at the gate; 
A steed comes at morning, no rider is there; 
But its bridle is red with tlie sign of despair!" 

He was brave, chivalrous and patriotic, and his memory 
will ever live in the hearts of his countrymen. 

About the middle of September I v/ent up to Macon to 
procure clothes for my brother, who had again lost all of his 
at one of our " masterly retreats." Heretofore I had always 
bought what he needed, but this time I went to our quarter- 
termaster, Major Fairbanks, for them. It was against orders 
to give clothes without a descriptive list, but Major F. said : 
" U your brother is as good a soldier as yourself, you can have 
them." I answered : " He is a much better one, for he never 
grumbles at anything." The Georgia Relief Association gave 
me a few other articles, and also sent the package to the army. 

While at Macon, I attended church in company with my 
friends, Miss Cannon, Mr. Stickney and Captain Pendergast, 
the latter being again wounded and on his way to Mississippi. 
He did not like Hood as a commander, and from the arduous 
work our troops had gone through, it was not much wonder. 
He said they had to march all day, throw up entrenchments 
at night and fight incessantly, and their suflierings were almost 
beyond human endurance. 

Macon is a beautiful city and the buildings, as a rule, are 
elegant ; the streets clean and sidewalks fine and broad. The 
citizens were most patriotic. The Wayside Home was entirely 



WEST POINT AMERICUS MACON. 197 

supported by them, audit proved to be one of the most useful 
institutions we tiad. Wlien the soldiers got furloughs from 
the army or hospital, on their way home they were often de- 
tained, perhaps while not very well, waiting for cars. As a 
rule, they were minus money, and had nothing to eat. The 
Wayside Home lodged them and gave them meals until they 
could be sent on, many times they were supplied with clothes 
besides. 

Several months before my visit, a raiding party had been 
driven back, I believe by the militia. An eye-witness told me 
that the raiders threw the shells into some hospitals. About 
the end of September our army went west, and many of the 
hospitals moved below us. I received a letter from Dr. Burt, 
who had gone from Covington to Cuthbert with his hospital. 
A short time before I had wished I was as far north as he was, 
but now he was found much farther from the army than I 
was. He gave me an account of two raids that had visited 
Covington while he was there, and said thanks to high weeds 
and grass, he escaped capture. He also said he was so com- 
pletely demoralized from the raids and the fear of others, that 
anything like blue, even the blue of the heavens, gave him an 
unpleasant feeling. 

We were terrified once by a rumor that the enemy had 
captured Columbus and Macon, and were coming down to An- 
derson ville and tui*n the prisoners loose on us. There was much 
talk about having so many prisoners near us, and also of their 
treatment. Dr. Hughes had a friend. Lieutenant Allen, sta- 
tioned there, a young man of undoubted veracity, and he said 
the treatment was as good as our circumstances would ad- 
mit of. There was, no doubt, much suffering among them, but 
not more than among our own men, as they got the very same 
rations that ours did. I saw many a time, cars loaded with 
vegetables going to their hospitals, and on going foraging 



198 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

for ours, we were told that all the chickens and eggs had been 
sent to Andersonville. 

About this time some prisoners who had been exchanged 
were sent to Atlanta or Memphis, and on telling of their suf- 
ferings, vengeance was about to be wreaked on some of our 
men who were prisoners. One of our surgeons, Dr. Aber- 
nathy, made a speech to the infuriated men, and convinced 
them that their own government was alone to blame for not 
granting an exchange, which our people had begged for time 
and again. How could they expect us to feed their men when 
our own were half starved. Our provisions were wantonly 
destroyed by the enemy, and Sherman issued orders, not only 
to do that, but to destroy all gardening implements, which 
order was obeyed. Dr. Abernathy's talk had the right effect 
and quieted the men. 

As we had more time in Americus we visited the citizens, 
and all were kind and sociable. There were several churches, 
and an episcopal service was held every Sunday afternoon in 
the Presbyterian church by Dr. Adams, and I assisted in the 
choir. We had a fast day in which all of the churches united, 
and many a heartfelt, solemn prayer was offered up for the 
conversion of our foes. 

As soon as we arrived in Americus the ladies form d 
themselves into a relief society for the benefit of the soldiers, 
and supplied them with clothing and cared for them in many 
other ways. 

On the 27th of November we left Americus, as Hood had 
gone into Tennessee. Our destination was Gainesville, Ala., 
which place we never reached. We left at Americus the best 
bake house our baker had ever put up, a fine diningroom and 
kitchen, all new since the fire. I knew as soon as I saw them 
going up that our doom was sealed as to remaining long in 
Americus. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



MOBILE. 



On the train from Araericus we had a box car and Mrs. 
Williamson, being indisposed, had a curtain drawn across, 
which made a fine private room. We were detained all night 
at a small country place called Butler, and Dr. Hughes and I 
went to service, it being Sunday night. We heard an excel- 
lent sermon from a chaplain of the army. There were num- 
bers of soldiers in the congregation, and as usual, all listened 
with profound attention. 

The Bragg hospital was on the same train with us, and 
also the matrons. Miss Buford and Mrs. Bynum. Dr. Cross 
and his family were also on the same train, and we were quite 
a family circle. Dr. Cross had been a man of wealth, and, on 
joining the army, left his family well provided for. He lived 
near Tuscumbia, Ala., and the enemy destroyed everything he 
owned. He had sent his two young daughters south, to live 
with some relatives, and Mrs. Cross was at home with several 
small children. The enemy ran off all of her negroes and 
stole everything she had in the home in the way of provisions ; 
they then ordered her out, not giving her time to get a change 
of clothes for her little children. Her old father was with 
her and he hobbled out on crutches, as the vandals set fire to 
the house and burned it to the ground. They then went to a 
neighbor's, which shared the same fate. The oflQcer in com- 
mand made a great fuss in talking, but, as usual, did nothing 
to better things. I had been intimate with the family for 
some time, and their uncomplaining endurance of their wrongs 

199 



200 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 



won my unbounded admiration. Miss Cross told me that 
since she had lost so much, nothing annoyed her, for she was 
so thankful to be with her family. 

We remained a few days at Columbus, where we met sev- 
eral Newnan friends, who had run off for fear of the enemy. 
When we arrived at Montgomery, we met with a number of 
hospitals going the same route as ourselves. As the railroad 
was out of repair, we were detained some time at that place. 
We were given possession of an empty box car which had 
been set aside for refugees, which I named "Refugee Hall." 
The weather being very fine, and having a number of servants 
to wait on us, we got along very nicely. I thought I would 
not sympathize quite so much, as I had done, with the refu- 
gees, but we were not long enough in the car for the novelty 
to wear off. Being anxious to get home, and seeing no pros- 
pect of the hospital's getting on the railroad, I started on a 
boat, taknig a little girl with me. 

On the boat I met Bishop Wilmer, and with him a highly 
accomplished lady, Mrs. Irwin, on her way to Tuscaloosa to 
become a deaconess. They left us at Selma and we steamed 
on our way to Mobile. We had a pleasant party on board — 
many of the citizens of Mobile, returning, having refugeed for 
fear of an attack. Many of them said they would never run 
away again, no matter what happened. 

There was a bridal party on board — the groom being a 
soldier. We were much indebted to the bride for assisting to 
while away the time by discoursing -'sweet music," although 
the time did not hang heavy on my hands, having a copy of 
Joseph the Second to read — a charming work by Muhlbach — 
translated during the war from the German by one of our 
literary stars — Mrs. Chaudron. We arrived in Mobile on the 
9th of December, and found everything pretty much the same 
as usual — the enemy still expected. 



MOBILE, 201 

On Sunday, the 11th, as we were preparing to attend church, 
the alarm bell rang — a sure sign the "enemy had come this 
time." All the home guards turned out, among them the 
" Burly British Guard," with their "venerable" Capt. Wheeler. 
It was an extremely cold day, and, my father being one of the 
guard, we were anxious until word was brought in that it was 
another " wolf " alarm. 

As many of the railroads were torn up between us and the 
army, we could hear very little from it. It was rumored that 
we had had a battle, our troops being victorious, but at a ter- 
rible sacrifice of life. Many of our best men had been killed, 
among them Generals Cleburn and Strahl. The battle lasted 
nearly a whole day and night, and when day dawned the 
scene presented was appalling; riders and horses lying in the 
trenches one lifeless mass. 

Christmas Day, 1864. — The nativity of our Lord and 
Savior, the day on which was sung " Good Will to Men ! " 
Many of our enemies profess to believe those precious words, 
and yet, how little of it they manifest for us. 

"What vision of cheer does not the sound of "Merry Christ- 
mas" bring in review — happiness, plenty and a forgetting, for 
a few short hours, the cares of this weary world. This one 
has been anything but merry to us. A gloom has hung over 
us all, that do what we will we cannot dispel. Our thoughts 
involuntarily wander to where our brave armies are struggling 
against fearful odds. Alas ! When, will this strife and blood- 
shed cease? When shall we have peace? 

"Sweet Peace is in her grave <" 

The weather is very inclement ; too much so for us to at- 
tend the services of the sanctuary. Last evening I visited St. 
John's Church, which is very beautifully dressed with ever- 

13 



202 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

greens, more so, I thought, than I had ever seen it before. 1 
am told that all of the P^piscopal churches in the city are dec- 
orated the same. 

December 31.— The last day of 1864, and much coveted 
peace seemingly as distant as ever. Were it not for the knowl- 
edge that there is an end to all things, and that some day 
there will be an end to this, it would be unbearable. The past 
year has equaled any of its predecessors for carnage and blood- 
shed. Our land is drenched with the blood of martyrs. Her 
fair hills and valleys and are lit by blazing homesteads, and 
echo to the booming of artillery and the roar of musketry ; the 
very air is rent with the groans of the wounded and dying, 
and the wail of the widow and orphan. Lord, turn not thy 
face from us ; and save us, O, save us from this terrible 
scourge ! Let not our sins now cry against us for vengeance! 

" Hear us Jehovah, for mercy imploring; 
From Thy dread displeasure, O bid lis be free!" 

Although woe and desolation stare us at every turn, the 
heart of the patriot is as firm as ever, and determined that 
come what may, he will never yield. There is no doubt but 
we have some among us, whose love for self forbids their 
minds to rise above the " dank sod upon which they tread ; " 
men who have never known a thrill of pleasure when listen- 
ing to the "patriot's moving story, shedding for freeman's 
rights his generous blood." Such we have among us ; but 
thank the Giver of all good, they are in the minority. 

" Chains for the dastard knave, 

Recreant limbs should wear them; 
But blessings on the brave, 

Whose valor will not bear them." 

The brave army of Virginia is defending Richmond as 
gallantly as ever. The last heard from our army in Tennes- 
see it was besieging Nashville. Charleston, heroic Charles- 



MOBILE. 203 

ton, has proved a very Chary bis to the invader. Our cham- 
pions on the water are doing ns good service by destroying 
the enemy's commerce. Their very names strike terror to the 
heart of the foe. The army in Louisiana, with the valiant 
Kirby Smith at its head, is keeping the enemy in check. Our 
brave, dauntless cavalrymen are doing deeds of valor that 
have surpassed even the valiant Cossacks. But oh ! my 
heart sickens, when I think of the many, many brave heroes 
who have left us, never more to return, but 

"Their fame is alive, though their spirits have fled 
On the wings of the year that's awa'." 

God grant that their lives have not been offered up in 
vain, and that the time is not far distant when triumphant 
peace will spread her wing§ o'er this now distracted land. 

********* 

I copied the above from my journal to show how we felt 
at this time of depression. I shall again quote from it to 
prove how ignorant we were at that time of the fearful dis- 
aster that had befallen our army in Tennessee : 

January 5, 1865. — Our hospitals have all been ordered to 
Tennessee. I am highly delighted at this move, as it shows 
our army is triumphant. The hospital to which I belong has 
changed surgeons. Dr. Hughes had several of his ribs frac- 
tured by a fall from the cars in Montgomery. He has resigned 
until he recruits in health. Dr. De Yampert, of Alabama, 
has taken his place. 

Mobile was filled with military, which was the cause of 
much gayety, and there was as much visiting on New Year's 
day as in peace times. General Buckner being in command, was 
determined not to give Mobile up without a struggle. Every- 
body had the utmost confidence in his generalship and gave 
him all the assistance in their power. The fine shade trees, 



204 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

beautiful shrubbery and lovely flower gardens, once the boast 
of Mobile, were laid waste by the military authorities for fear 
of giving shelter to the enemy. It was a sad sight to visit 
the suburbs and see the desolation, but anything was better 
than having the Yankees among us. Immense intrenchments 
were dug all around the city. 

About the middle of January news was^coming from all 
quarters detailing our terrible disaster in Tennessee. The 
whole army, or what was left of it, was completely demoral- 
ized by the defeat. Had it not been for our brave cavalry, 
who covered the retreat, scarcely a man would have been left 
to tell the tale. The army encamped in Tupelo, Miss., and 
my brother wrote from there that the scene on leaving Ten- 
nessee was extremely distressing. On entering that state 
they were joyfully received, the people doing everything they 
could for them, and when leaving, their grief at being again at 
the mercy of the ruthless invader, would have melted a heart 
of stone. Many of the soldiers told us that the devotion of 
the women to the wounded, after the battle of Franklin, was 
beyond all praise. 

The sufferings of our men on the retreat seemed to have 
reached a climax, for all they had heretofore undergone was 
nothing in comparison. Many of them ^were shoeless, and 
left their blood on the snow, the flesh actually dropping from 
their feet. My brother saw a man, after they arrived at 
Tupelo, have both feet amputated from being frozen, and no 
doubt there were many others like him. Every way we 
turned there was woe. A lady told me that her young son in 
Virginia had suffered so much that his hair had turned white. 
The men in Virginia were nearly all from the South, and 
found it hard to endure the severe cold, in addition to being 
half starved and half clad. 

Rev. Mr. Clute, of Okolona, Miss., wrote and told us that 



MOBILE. 205 

the enemy had nearly destroyed the place, and robbed the 
people of their all. They even took his wife's and children's 
clothes. He and his family were on the brink of starvation. 
My father got aid for him, which was thankfully received. 

An old friend, Mrs. Payne, paid us a visit. She had just 
come from Enterprise, Miss., having been there at the time of 
a raid. As we did not know the moment we would be hon- 
ored by a visit from the enemy, we gathered around her, eager 
to know what she had done in her extremity, as she had fared 
much better than many others. She informed us that when 
the enemy came into the town they commenced firing promis- 
cuously, and her little daughter being in the yard at the 
time, was nearly killed. 

About twenty-five of these marauders entered her home 
at one time, and came into her room where she was alone 
with her little children. The sight of such a mob of lawless 
men filled her with dismay, but she did not lose her presence 
of mind, and tried to appear perfectly calm. She looked at 
them and said : "Among such a crowd there must be at least 
one gentleman, and if there is such a one among you, I call 
on him for protection." After this appeal she burst into 
tears. These two appeals were too much for even these van- 
dals, and she said they looked ashamed of themselves. One of 
them stepped forward, saying he had a mother and sister, and 
for their sakes he would protect her. He remained with her 
while the others ransacked her home from garret to cellar. 
They broke open her trunks, drawers and pantries, and on her 
offering the keys they laughed in her face, saying they had no 
use for them. They took every little trinket they came 
across, even taking her scissors and thimble. The vandals 
remained at Enterprise several days, but she was not farther 
molested, as she had the protection of one of the oflBcers. He 
offered her his aid because she had been very kind to his 



206 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

cousin, a schoolteacher, some few years before. This cousin 
had requested him, in case of their meeting, to befiiend her. 
Nearly the whole town was laid in ashes, but it only shared 
the fate of nearly every other town in the state where the 
enemy came. 

The very name of Sherman, at that time, brought up a pic- 
ture of woe and desolation before us. He marched through 
Georgia with his invincible army and encountered perils of all 
kinds, in defenseless old men, women and children, and laid the 
whole country in his track a perfect waste. Bands of marau- 
ders, both black and white, were permitted to do their wont on 
the helpless inhabitants. I have been amused, as well as as- 
tonished, at the ignorance of people in speaking of Sherman's 
"March through Georgia," some of them thinking his dangers 
equal to Xerxes', when he invaded Greece, or Napoleon's march 
into Russia. Sherman well knew, when the dauntless army of 
Tennessee left his path, he could march where he pleased with 
his brave warriors, and be suie of triumph. If his army en- 
countered anything more formidable than the non-combat- 
ants of Georgia, no one is aware of the fact but himself. But 
why waste time telling what the whole world ought to know, 
if it does not. I never could see the glory in Sherman's grand 
" March to the Sea," but the fault may lie in my obtuseness. 
But to my tale and a truce to digression. 

In February a number of the troops of one army were 
sent to Mobile, and as we lost nearly all of our cannons, at the 
late disaster, the artillery men were sent to man the batteries 
at the different forts. This they did not like, but it could not 
be helped. We saw a good deal of my brother at this time, as 
his company lost every gun they had but one, and he, along 
with the others, was sent to a fort. 

The people revived after the Tennessee disaster, and all 
tried to make it as pleasant as possible for the survivors. I 



f 



IMOBILE. 207 

attended several of the parties at which our troops wore their 
old gray uniforms. If any appeared in citizen's dress it was 
because they had lost their clothes in the retreat. A large 
steamer ran the blockade about this time laden with clothes, 
and we scarcely recognized our boys in their fine new uni- 
forms. There was a good deal of blockade running, which 
brought us things we could not possibly get at home. The 
principle articles were coffee and medicines. The scarcity of 
coffee seemed to affect the spirits of the people more than 
anything else. I knew persons who did not seem to care for 
it in ante-bellum days, but at the time of which I write would 
be quite melancholy while speaking of its loss. 

By the capture of the lower bay we were deprived of 
oysters, which was quite a loss to us, as they have ever been 
one of our staples. 

We had excellent public schools, and they were never 
closed during the whole war. 

Literature was not forgotttn in these days. Numbers of 
stories and poems were written, Bibles were published in At- 
lanta and other places. Home-made paper was used, which 
was poor, indeed, and many of the covers were of wall-paper. 
Rev. Dr. H. N. Pierce translated Henry VIII. and Mrs. Chau- 
dron Joseph II., from the German novels by Miss Muhlbach. 
Goetzel, then of Mobile, published them. Miss Augusta Evans 
wrote "Macaria," one of her best novels. 

One day my father came home almost shouting with joy, 
telling me that my hospital work was over, as we were to have 
peace. A call had come for a peace conference, and some of 
our best men had been sent as ambassadors to confer with 
Lincoln. But there was no peace for us without going back 
to the Union. What castle building we had during the con- 
ference, not one of us thought for one moment, that we would 
be asked to unite with them after all that we had passed 



208 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTFILAND. 

through. We thought such a thing a moral impossi- 
bility. 

Our hospitals all returned from Gainesville and went 
back to Georgia. All of the surgeons and Mr. Moore, the 
chaplain of the Board, spent the evening at my father's. Mrs. 
Williamson being ill, I did not go back with them. They 
spoke highly of Gainesville, and said there was plenty of all 
kinds of food, but they suffered for fuel. Alabama abounds 
in coal, yet it was very scarce then and almost impossible to 
get it, and wood was from #60 to $70 a cord. 

As Mrs. Williamson was still ill and Dr. de Yampert had 
sent me word that there was a lady already in the hospital, 
I resolved to go by myself. I left with a sad heart, not know- 
ing what would be the fate of Mobile and all my people, ere 
we would again meet. My brother was there, but I knew, in 
the event of the city's capture, he would leave. So I took a 
loving farewell of our beautiful patriotic city, even the bricks 
and stones of which seemed sacred. 



CHAPTER XV. 

GRIFFIN. 

As MY real hospital life ended when I left Americus, on 
account of being so far from the scenes of conflict, I shall copy 
largely from my journal. 

March 1, 1865. — At about this time I left Mobile on the 
" Southern Republic," one of the largest and finest boats on 
the river. Major Berry, the quartermaster, very kindly made 
arrangements with the captain to take me on my transporta- 
tion ticket. I felt very sad at leaving Mobile, as I had no idea 
Avhen I should again behold it. I left many of ray friends in 
deep despondency in anticipation of the woe soon to fall upon 
the city. If we only had the seaboard alone to protect, Mo- 
bile could stand a siege of years, but the enemy can come in 
by Florida, North Alabama and Mississippi, and for this rea- 
son, few in the city thought it possible for us to hold it. 

The river was higher than it had been for years. We saw 
whole towns covered several feet with water. At Cahaba, 
which was on a high bluff, the water was so high that the 
people were sailing about in boats. There was a large ware- 
house on the bank of the river filled with prisoners, whose 
spirits, if we were to judge by their actions, had not been 
dampened by prison life. They were shouting and paddling 
around in the water, and appeared much delighted with their 
aquatic sports. As wood was very scarce, the captain helped 
himself to the fences on the river bank. At one place the 
owner of the wood came after the boat had left, and appeared 

209 



210 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

very angry. He was told by the men on the boat to send his 
bill to the quartermaster, which suggestion did not seem^to af- 
ford the man much satisfaction. 

There were two women on the boat who had been to the 
Camp of Instruction, Camp Watts, near Montgomery, to try 
and bring their sons back, two boys who had been sent there 
by a conscript officer. 

Colonel Phillips, whose wife had been such an eyesore to 
Federals in New Orleans, was on board. He informed me that 
his sister-in-law was in a hospital in Virginia, and had been 
ever since the war commenced. There were quite a number 
of ladies on board, and the chief topic of conversation was 
Sherman's barbarities, and the outrages in general of which 
the enemy had been guilty. They wereanything but pleasant 
to hear, and filled me with dread of the future. Negro regi- 
ments, officered by men with white skins, but hearts as black 
as night, had been turned loose on the helpless inhabitants 
and encouraged to do their worst. And all of this is done by 
a people calling themselves Christians. But we needn't won- 
der when we think of their having such teachers as Beecher, 
that sectional firebrand, who has polluted the holy sanctuary 
with his impious ravings. How can these people expect us to 
forget their fearful wrongs ? God is indeed trying us with 
the refiner's fire. May we come out of it purified. 

I paid a visit to some friends in Selma, as we were de- 
tained there some time, and they were a good deal alarmed at 
the thought of the enemy's coming there. As one of the chief 
arsenals of construction, with ordinance foundries, for both the 
navy and army were stationed there, it was one of the des- 
tined points of destruction. Though far in the interior we 
were beginning to think that no place was secure from raids. 

I remained all night at Montgomery at the home of my 
kind friend. Rev. Dr. Scott. There I met several ladies from 



211 



Florida, who, like many others, had been driven from their 
homes by the enemy. The refugees were very clannish, as it 
was great consolation for them to get together and talk over 
bygones. Dr. Scott has a church, "The Holy Comforter," in 
Montgomery, supported nearly altogether by refugees. I made 
Mrs. Scott a pair of gloves out of a piece of cloth, of which she 
was quite proud. She is a refined and intellectual lady, such 
as I found nearly all of our better class of women to be. I was 
treated by the doctor and his excellent wife with the greatest 
of kindness. I left very early the next morning, but before 
doing so was regaled by a delicious cup of pure coffee. These 
kind friends also sent me to the train in their carriage. 

While in Montgomery I met Dr. Anderson, the medical 
purveyor, packing up his drugs, having been ordered to 
Macon, Ga. He informed me he had sent his family to Mobile 
for safety. I had heard of others doing the same, as no one, 
then, expected fighting in that city, and whether it fell or not, 
it would be the safest place. I met friends on the train going 
as far as Columbus. I also met one of our old Chattanooga 
patients, Lieut. Blair, of Texas. He inquired after Mrs. Wil- 
liamson and said he owed his life to our care. We were often 
told this, and cannot help feeling gratified, though well know- 
ing it is not altogether true. Poor fellow, since we had met, 
he had lost a leg in one of the battles near Atlanta. 

In Columbus we put up at the Cook House, and the sup- 
per table actualhj groaned. There were cold turkey, sausages, 
roast pork, biscuit, hot rolls, corn-bread, and I could scarcely 
believe my senses when I beheld cake. We had a substitute 
for coffee which was very good, with plenty of hot milk and 
sugar. 

My friends, Lieut. Edwards and his wife, were going to 
Florida by the river, so T left early in the morning for Macon. 
I had brought some real coffee, and got the waiter to have 



212 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

some made, which he served with milk and sugar, and but- 
tered toast. For lodging and supper, at this delightful hotel, 
I paid twenty dollars. 

The night before I left, Lieutenant Edwards, his wife and 
myself were called upon to witness the marriage of a run- 
away couple. They came with us on the cars from Mont- 
gomery. After the wedding we called upon Rev. George 
Stickney, chaplain of the post. He is a native of Mobile, and 
was chaplain at a post in New Orleans when it was surrend- 
ered ; he had to leave in a hurry, losing nearly all of his 
worldly possessions. Mrs. Stickney is a daughter of Rev. Dr. 
Hedges, of New Orleans, who left that city a registered enemy 
to the United States. Mrs. Stickney is an enthusiastic South- 
erner, and gloried in living " refugee style " in two rooms. But 
she was much better off than many others, for tents and old 
sheds were the abodes of many who abounded in wealth be- 
fore the war. 

After leaving Columbus I met my friend, Mrs. Newsom. 
She had been to Arkansas and brought out a young sister 
who had been assisting her in the hospitals. She had very 
little trouble from the Federal authorities in going through 
the lines, though she made no secret of how she had been em- 
ployed by the Confederacy. She had left the hospital awhile, 
as her duties while in Atlanta had injured her health. The 
patients' were in tents, and the exposure was so great that the 
Sisters of Charity, previously in the hospital, could not stand 
the work and left. Miss Monroe, of Kentucky, had assisted 
her at one time. 

I saw Dr. Gamble, who was post-surgeon, and he was 
having all the hospitals arranged as nicely as if there was no 
such thing as making another move. I met many old friends 
in Macon who were becoming weary of our wandering life, or, 
as I heard a doctor say, our inspection of railroads. 



GRIFFIN. 



213 



I arrived at GriflBn on the 8th, and while waiting at the 
depot for a conveyance to go to the hospital, went to the hotel 
opposite. The proprietor, Mrs. Rawlings, proved to be an 
old Chattanooga friend. The daughter of Dr. Taylor, who 
was so kind to us in Chattanooga, was also there. The doctor 
had been taken prisoner and many thought he was dead. 

After remaining with my friends some time Mr. C— 
brought a buggy and took me to my home, where I was intro- 
duced to Miss S., my assistant. I felt very gloomy and had 
no good kind Mrs. Williamson to say in her quiet manner, 
"Have patience, the Lord will bring all right." Left wholly 
to myself I felt that all my boasted determination to remain 
in the hospital, until the war was over, would now be put to 
the test. 

Mr. Moore, our chaplain, and the doctors called and gave 
me a hearty welcome back, but even this did not dispel the 
gloom. I was kindly invited by them to dinner, and though I 
had eaten nothing that day, I refused. After it ceased raining 
I went with Dr. de Yampert to visit the hospital. The chief 
parts were the tents and sheds. There was a large buildmg, 
formerly a young ladies' college, and a few out houses, which 
were used for kitchen, dining-room and bakery. I was much 
pleased with the doctor's arrangements, and tried to enter into 
his ambitious views with zeal, but visions of raids and army 
movements, causing hasty retreats, leaving the fruits of our 
labors to be destroyed by the enemy, would rise up before me. 
To save my hfe I could not utter one enthusiastic word of 
praise, though I could not help admiring his perseverance, as 
he had had almost as much running as myself. He said he had 
made up his mind that the war was to last ten years, and he 
was preparing accordingly. There was no use in my saying 
that would be impossible, for three years previous I was cer- 
tain we would not hold out one year longer. 



214 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

In one of the tents I found some old friends, Mr. Love and 
family, the former of whom being unfit for service, had charge 
of the washhouse. Dr. de Yam pert told me he wished me to 
have sole charge of the domestic arrangements, and I was to be 
assisted by three more ladies. I became much better recon- 
ciled to my surroundings since 1 had seen how anxious Dr. de 
Yampert was trying to have everything done for the good of 
the patients. The doctor was a wealthy planter in Alabama 
at the commencement of the war, and enlisted as a private. 
He was soon promoted, and for some time was on General 
Bragg's staff. 

We have but a very few patients and the fact is, I do not 
see how we are going to get any here, as our armies are miles 
off, and nearly all of the railroads between us and them are 
torn up. 

To-day, feeling that I would like to have something to 
eat, I found that corn meal and beef, of the leanest kind, were 
all of which our commissary could boast. I have often said 
that I did not wish to live otherwise than the soldiers, with 
the exception of corn bread and bacon, which are articles that 
I thought I could not eat if I were starving (I suppose I must 
have inherited this dislike from my foreign origin), but I have 
found that starving will not do. When we get bacon, we do 
not get beef. This is the beef week, and poor beef it is. I 
borrowed some lard to make bread, stewed the beef, and with 
corn coffee, minus milk or sugar, being hungry, made a very 
good meal. 

Fast Day, March 10. — I went to church with Dr. Reese, 
and heard an excellent sermon. The day is bitter cold, and 
wood being scarce we suffer accordingly. I thought it little 
enough to have so little to eat, but we have no light of any 
kind, not even light- wood. I am compelled to retire at dark, 
which is a great trial for me, reading being one of my chief 



GRIFFIN. 215 

comforts. I do not believe that even Mark Tapley could be 
"jolly " under these circumstances. My only consolation is in 
comparing my lot with the men in the field, for I know they 
are so much worse off. 

March 13. — A bright, beautiful day. A' woman has just 
been here begging for any kind of work, as she has nothing 
for herself and children to eat. She has just come from At- 
lanta, and represents the distress there as being very great. 
1 regretted having no work for her, but as we have no patients, 
and many negro women hired who do the sewing, we could 
give her none. After this woman left two others came and 
begged me to give them work, just for their board and lodg- 
ing. How very sad this is ! I have not been long in finding 
out that there are many worse off than myself. The negro 
women are kept at work making comforts out of unbleached 
homespun. Cotton goods are very high, but the manufactories 
in Georgia sell goods to soldier families much cheaper than it 
can be bought in the stores. 

March 19. — Went to the Episcopal Church, in company 
with Capt. Hicks and his wife — the first time they had ever 
been in a church of that denomination, and they were both 
much pleased with the music. Capt. Hicks, one of our con- 
valescents, was wounded at one of the battles around Rich- 
mond. He cannot rejoin his regiment, as Sherman has torn 
up all the railroads between here and Augusta. 

March 25. — A very beautiful day, but I feel very low- 
spirited regarding our cause. A friend, Dr. Young, of Ken- 
tucky, has just called, and his visit has not served to dispel 
the gloom. He denounced President Davis, and said that in 
putting negroes in the army he should have given them not 
only their own freedom, but that of their families also. He 
also said that Davis' last proclamation was the essence of de- 
spair, and that he and all in Congress know that our cause is 



216 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

gone, and that we shall soon be subjugated. I argued with him 
to the best of my power against all he said, and contended 
that if even both of our armies were scattered, we could not 
then give up. But notwithstanding my contention I could not 
help feeling that the doctor might be right. 

We seem to be completely hemmed in on all sides. I 
hear that the long expected attack has begun on Mobile ; and 
that a large force is moving against Selma and Montgomery. 
One of the largest armies yet massed by the North is investing 
Richmond ; Sherman and his vandals are in the very heart of 
the country ; a large army is coming in by Wilmington, N. C, 
which is now in the enemy's hands ; and Charleston is closely 
besieged. Not one ray of hope comes from any quarter. It is 
like hoping against hope to think we will succeed, but my 
strong faith in the justice of our cause, makes failure to me, 
an impossibility. 

I have only seen extracts from the president's message 
and must say I do not like its tone. He is still urging the 
people to do their duty, but says if we should fail, we must 
bow with submission to an all-wise Providence. I do not like 
the word "fail "at all. While we have one spark of hope 
left, one breath of submission ought not to be breathed by 
any one, much less by our chief magistrate. 

March 29. — We have had but few patients, as the road be- 
tween Augusta and Atlanta is not yet finished. There are 
many rumors of battles, and I only wish we could get the 
wounded to care for. Dr. De Yampert is busy getting every- 
thing ready for patients. Our largest ward is nicely white- 
washed, and he has had comfortable cotton mattresses made 
by a regular mattress-maker ; also a new wash-house and a 
new bakery. The thread we use in sewing is bought in 
bunches and has to be doubled, twisted and reeled, which 
keeps us busy. Mrs. Love's litttle girls are with me a good 



GRIFFIN. 217 

deal and I teach them to read. The family are from Tennes- 
see, and neither father nor mother can read. 

We have a vegetable garden in cultivation next to our 
house, and another large one, tlie plantation, about two miles 
in the country, of which Mr. Yerby has charge. I have a 
flower garden, and Mr. Moore has promised me some fine 
plants, so in a short time I expect to have enough to delight 
our patients. 

April 1. — We have just heard that Spanish P'ort, near 
Mobile, is closely beseiged. The day is very lovely, but I 
cannot enjoy it on account of the bad news. I wish now I 
had remained at home to take care of the wounded. 

April 2. — Mrs. Fyft'e, refugee from Chattanooga, is assist- 
ing me. She paid a visit to some friends a few miles from Chat- 
tanooga, and while she was there the enemy took possession 
of Lookout Mountain and she was cut off from her family. 
She tried very hard to return, as she had left her only child, a 
married daughter, quite ill, but her entreaties were of no avail. 
Rosecrans had given orders on no account to permit women 
to cross the lines, as they were worse rebels than the meji. 
She lived for some time within sight of her daughter's house, 
between the firing of both armies. Finding she could not 
get home, she came south. 

April 5. -News has come that Selma is in the hands of 
the enemy. As Dr. de Yampert's home is near there he ex- 
pects he has lost his all. Mrs. Newsom arrived today on her 
way to North Carolina, where she has a brother in the army. 
She is leaving two of her negroes, a man and his wife, Avith Dr. 
de Yam pert. She is as lovely as ever, but her health is not 
good. I have nothing to give her but bacon and corn bread, I 
have gotten so I can eat corn bread as well as any native. Mis. 
Fyffe finds the living very hard, and the doctors grumble not 

a little. I tell them we are suffering for the good of the cause. 
14- 



218 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

Our attendants do not ^et near enough of such food as "we 
have. We have one very sick man who is starving, as he can 
not eat such food. I have a small quantity of real coffee, and 
sometimes make him a cup of it. 

I called upon Mrs. Ware, whom I met with her wounded 
son in llinggold. He is now well and going on crutches. 
Mrs. Ware told me that the people there do not fare any better 
than we do, and some do not get as much. 

Sunday, April 10. — Mrs. Newsom and her sister, Miss 
King, took dinner with me today, and we had a hearty laugh 
at the menu^ for I had prepared for them something extra. 
Our corn bread had lard, soda and an o.^^ in it. Mrs. Newsom 
produced some tea, and we had a rare treat. She told us about 
a friend of her's, now living near Marietta, who could scarcely 
get enough of cornmeal alone, for herself and children, so we 
were properly thankful. Mrs. Newsom and her sister have 
friends. Dr. Porter and family, who are living a short distance 
out in the country, where they have spent part of the time 
during their visit here. 

April 11. — We can hear little or nothing from Mobile, but 
I have no idea that our people will try to hold it, now that 
Selma is gone. We have evidently had some hard fighting at 
Spanish Fort. On looking over the list of killed and wounded, 
in a Macon paper, the first name I saw among the killed was 
a son of Mrs. Mitchell, of this place. He is the second or third 
she has lost in the war. God pity her, and all such bereaved 
mothers ! Mrs. Newsom and her sister left today for North 
Carolina, but there is much doubt about theii- being able to get 
there, as so many railroads are torn up. 

Easter Sunday, April 16. — A most beautiful day — one that 
speaks of peace to all. On my way to church a feeling of 
sadness came over me, when I remembered the sunny Easter 
Sundays I had spent with many now gone forever. The 



GRIFFIN. 219 

church was crowded and the music excellent. "Christ the 
Lord is Risen Today," our beautiful Easter hymn, was sung 
to the same familiar tune that my father sung when a boy in 
"auld Scotia." Mr. Thomas, the pastor, is an able logicim 
and a concise and fluent speaker, and preached a splendid ser- 
mon. He is a native of Wales, but was reared in Georgia, and 
was many years a captain in the United States Navy.* 

April 16. — I have just received a letter from Mrs. Newsom 
who is in Athens, Ga. She says that some members of Con- 
gress had just passed through Covington on their way to At- 
lanta. They reported that Richmond had been given up in a 
hurry, and that the public archives and other valuables had 
been left. The Congressmen were still hopeful of our suc- 
cess, as is also Mrs. Newsom. It is reported that Atlanta or 
Macon is to be our seat of government, but that seems impos- 
sible, as we have no army at either place, and the enemy all 
around us, as well as having our railroad tracks torn up every 
way we turn. Mrs. Newsom so far has done all of her trav- 
eling by wagons. A few days ago word was brought that our 
hospitals were to be moved to North Carolina. I am afraid 
that we, the ladies, will not be permitted to go, as everything 
will have to be moved on teams. 

April 17. — Mr. Moore came in to-day and in the calmest 
manner told us that Lee and his whole army were captured. 
I was mute with astonishment, and looked at our informant, 
thinking I had seen our people take disaster coolly, but had 
never seen anything to equal his coolness in telling of such a 
terrible catastrophe. After awhile, he laughed and said he 
had frightened us enough ; that such news had come by a lady 
from Chattanooga, who had seen it in a Northern paper. He 



*Lee surrendered on April 9, but not only were nearly all of our railroad tracks 
torn up. but all telegraphic communication destroyed also ; besides, it was not really 
certain that the surrender of Lee's army was the closing of the war; hence the seem- 
ing incongruity of my statements at this time. 



220 GLEANINGS FUOM SOUTHLAND. 



said it WHS one of the tales invented by the enemy to dismay 
us, but we were not so easily frightened. After Mr. Moore 
left, I commenced thinking over the news and concluded that 
it might be true. I had just read an account of the last three 
days fighting- around Petersburg and it had filled nie with dis- 
may. How our men ever withstood such a host is a perfect 
miracle. They were behind breastworks, but the enemy 
came on them eight deep, and as fast as one line was mowed 
down another took its place. Th.e account said that in thei~e 
three days at least sixty thousand of the enemy were 
killed, and that our loss was nothing in comparison. ButGfid 
knows it was enough ! General Lee did not have fifty thou- 
sand in his whole army, and t!ie enemy at least two hundred 
and fifty thousand. It seems like downright murder attempt- 
ing to oppose such a force. Oh, how terribie is this cruel, 
cruel war ! 

I saw Mr. Moore soon again, and told him I had made up 
my mind to try and think that the report of our late disaster 
might be true. Perhaps General Lee had been overwhelmtd 
by numbers, and compelled with his handful of men to sur- 
render. We seem to have foi-gotten that he is mortal and 
liable to failures like others. Mr. Moore would not listen to 
me and said that such a thing was a moral impossibility. We 
can hear nothing reliable, and appear to be shut out from the 
whole world. 

April 18. — This afternoon I went to the citizens' grave- 
yard, in company with Mrs. and Captain Hicks, and lost a very 
important article, my veil — a serious loss, as I have no idea 
where I am to get another. The graveyard is a perfect flower 
garden, and everything about it is in the greatest order. I 
saw the graves of five or six colonels side by side; I think 
they were all Tennesseans. A short distance from them, is 
the soldiers' graveyard, containing about five hundred graves ; 



GRIFFIN. 221 

the men were chiefly those wounded in the battles near At- 
hmta. The ladies had displayed a great deal of taste in hav- 
ing each grave trimmed with shells and lovely flowers. On 
reaching home we found great excitement in expectation of 
the enemy. I was asked to go several places, but Mrs. Fyffe 
and I have concluded to remain where we are. Captain Hicks 
has taken his wife to a relative six miles in the country, and 
they had to walk all the way. 

Dr. Bemiss is here ; he rode all the way from Columbus 
on horseback. He is worried a good deal about his books, as 
they were on the Macon train, which, it is said, the enemy has 
burned. He is very low-spirited, and says he feels like the 
man who thought he v/as chased by a snake, who, after run- 
ning until he was exhausted, laid down to let the snake do its 
worst, when he found he had been running from a piece of 
rope hung to the tail of his coat. 

Columbus is now in the hands of the enemy. After cap- 
turing Montgomery they marched on and took Columbus. Dr. 
Bemiss said the militia fought manfully in its defense, but 
having ten to one with which to contend, they were forced to 
succumb. He describes the scenes along the road as distress- 
ing, but at the same time ludicrous. There was a perfect panic 
at the cry, "The Yankees are coming." At one place the 
women and children were running through the streets like 
people deranged, and men, with mules and wagons, were driv- 
ing in every direction. At that time the enemy was not within 
miles of the place. 

Dr. Stout has gone to join Johnston's army in North Caro- 
lina, and Dr. Bemiss intends following in the morning. He 
advises us to keep quiet, as from all he can learn, the enemy is 
not hurting private property. We are to pretend that our home 
is a private one, although our rooms are filled with government 
property. All the valuables are in our care, and we are to be 



222 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

busy quilting should the enemy honor us with a visit. All of 
the men have taken to the woods; our two barrels of whisky 
have gone with them. Dr. de Yampert is at his post, though 
we have begged him to go and hide, but he says it is his duty 
to remain. Dr. Burks says he has run all he intends to, and, 
like the man with the snake, has made up his mind to let them 
come on and do their worst. 

Well, we are all ready for the enemy. Mrs. Fytfe knows 
more about them than I do, and is not quite so calm. I see no 
way of escape, and am making the best of it. I think that at 
such times we need all of our coolness and caution. I shall 
do what I can and leave the rest to God. He has protected 
me this far, why should I doubt him now? 

April 19. — The enemy did not come last night, but I ex- 
pect they will honor us today. We sat up all night in terroi-, 
starting at every sound. Dr. Bemiss has gone and I could 
scarcely bid him good-by ; it is so sad to think of a man like 
him running from such wretches. Mrs. Fyffe appears to tiy 
and frighten me, but the more terrible her stories the stronger 
my nerves become. This I cannot account for. I opened a 
prayer book and my eyes fell upon the twenty-seventh psalm : 
" The Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom then shall I 
fear." I read it aloud and from it we both gained strength. 
I do not think it was accident made me turn to those comfort- 
ing words ; however, some may laugh and say so. My faith 
is strong in the belief that there is an unseen hand directing 
all of our ways. 

Dr. Horton, a cousin of Mrs. Newsom, called this morn- 
ing, with a young lady, Miss Bailey, who entreated Mrs.Fyfie 
and myself to go and stay with her, as she was in a large 
house, and no one with her but negroes. If she left it the 
enemy was sure to destroy it. Her parents are on a visit to 
Southwest Georgia, and so, like many other families, they are 



GRIFFIN. 223 



separated. We could not possibly go, and she could get no 
one else, as all are remaining at home to try to take care of 
their own property. I felt very sorry for her, as she was in 
great distress, and did all I could to get her to stay with us. 
Night — The enemy marched in about 5 p.m. I have just 
been on the gallery watching the burning of a large ware- 
house, and the sad work of destruction is still gohig on. We 
hear the sound of axes at work ; we suppose they are tearing 
up the railroad track. I thank the Giver of all good that I 
have been enabled to look calmly on the destruction without a 
feeling of revenge. I gazed up at the heavy columns of smoke 
ascending to heaven as if pleading in our behalf. I felt that 
it was incense rising from a sacrifice, and ascended with the 
prayers of the saints, which I knew had been offered up on 
every altar, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande in behalf of 
our down-trodden and desolated land — and I felt sure that 
God, in his own good time, would avenge our wrongs. Before 
dark one of the enemy coolly rode past our house with his 
rifle in front of his saddle. I could not but admire his daring, 
for he was quite a distance from his band, and had one felt in- 
disposed, could have made way with him, and his comrades 
never have known what became of him. 1 wonder if such an 
act would be called murder or self-defense? He came here to 
kill and rob, and all have a right to defend themselves and 
property as best they can. This man called at the back door 
of a house near by, and asked the negro servant for something 
to eat, which was given him. After awhile an officer galloped 
past us and rode up to the college, where Drs. de Yampert and 
Burks sat, on the front piazza, like stoics, ready to receive their 
distinguished visitor. Dr. de Yampert rose on his approach 
and conversed with him awhile. He then rode off looking be- 
hind him every now and again, as if expecting a stray bullet 
from some concealed musket. Mrs. Fyffe and I made up our 



224 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

minds that he had come to order our sick away, and that he 
meant to fire the building; or, perhaps, with the pleasing in- 
formation that we were all to be made prisoners. We were 
left to conjecture, for Dr. de Yarapert did not have the least 
pity on us. He certainly knew that we had inherited at least 
a little of Mother Eve's frailty. After our curiosity had risen 
to quite a high pitch. Dr. Burks called and told us that the 
P'ederal officer merely asked how many patients we had and 
then passed the compliments of the day. 

April 20. — The enemy are gone, but we think they will 
return. We had another anxious night, not knowing what 
they intended doing. They burned a large warehouse filled 
with private and government stores, and gave the contents to 
the poor people and negroes. They fired the turning table, 
which is still burning, and were in the act of setting tire to 
the ticket office, when Mrs. Rawlings implored the officer in 
command not to do so, as her house would be burned with it. 
lie desisted and said : "Madam, if it would benefit the United 
States government $10,000 and destroy 10 cents worth of private 
property it should not be done." So much goodness looks sus- 
l)icious. The troops were a detachment from the main body, 
who have gone on to capture Macon. One of the stories afloat 
is that they had no idea of taking time to stop here, but the 
mayor and some of the citizens met them, a few miles from 
town, and offered to surrender if they would spare private 
property. I have been told that the captain boasted, that he, 
along with others, had come to Griffin, dressed in Confederate 
uniforms, calling themselves Wheeler's men. They broke open 
stores and helped themselves to anything they pleiised. This 
will likely account for some of the mean stoiies we have heard 
of Wheeler's cavalry. 

April 22. — News has just come that there is an armistice, 
and that we have been recognized by France, England, Spain, 



GRIFFIN. 225 

and Austria, also that Lincoln has been assassinated and Sew- 
ard badly wounded. I was going down town when I heard 
loud hurrahing, and as we were expecting another raid, I was 
terrified thinking it was the enemy coming in triumph, but 
was told that it Avas an open car filled with our men, and Fed- 
erals hurrying up to Atlanta with a flag of truce, to let all 
know about the armistice. None of our folks believe any of 
the rumors, thinking them as mythical as the surrender of 
General Lee's army. Many think that Governor Brown has 
S(M the State, and one gentleman is so confident that such is 
the case that he would not be surprised if all were put under 
arrest. 

April 26. — We have just heard that the French fleet has 
had a battle with the Federal fleet at New Orleans, whipped 
it and taken that city. All are much rejoiced at the news. 

April 29. — This evening Miss King, Mrs.Newsom's sister, 
returned, not being able to get to North Carolina. She brought 
us word that peace is really declared, but she could not tell us 
on what terms. I cannot believe that we are subjugated after 
enduring so much ; but it is useless to be miserable about an 
uncertainty. 

April 30. — This morning Mr. Thomas preached a fine ser- 
mon from the text, "Thy will be done." It fell upon our ears 
with a mournful cadence, as if warning us to prepare for some 
calamity soon to come, and telling us that no matter what be- 
fell us we must bow in meekness to Him "who doeth all things 
well." 

In the evening Miss Kmg, Mr. Moore and I went to the 
Baptist Church and heard an excellent sermon. A very earn- 
est prayer was ofl:"ered up in behalf of our fugitive president, 
in which I know every one heartily joined, I did not know 
until then he was a fugitive, but the truth is gradually dawn- 
ing on us, that we are really subjugated, and our beloved 



226 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

president is fleeing from — what? not justice, for he has com- 
mitted no crime. This is a severe ordeal ; may God in his 
mercy give us comfort through it. 

May 1. — A lovely day. Spring is silently working her 
great Creator's will, and arraying herself in glorious vesture. 
There is a mellowness breathing in the air which fills one with 
an undefinable feeling of perfect tranquility. Oh ! how M^el- 
come all these beauties come to our troubled spirits. How 
bountifully God has showered his blessings on us, if we would 
only receive them ! 

I had a delightful ride today in Dr. Porter's carriage in 
company with Miss King and Mr. Moore. We started to call 
upon Mr. Thomas, but when half way met him going to town. 
He remarked that no doubt the church would sufier by the 
revolution which had shaken the land, and he was prepared to 
earn his living, as he was then doing, by the sweat of his brow. 
We rode on and paid a delightful visit to Mrs. Thomas, from 
whom we received a hearty welcome. She told us she had 
entertained seveial of General Lee's men as they were passing 
to their homes. She said they seemed to take their defeat 
with a serious dignity, as if they were confident of hav- 
ing done their duty, as the defenders of their country 
and cause, and having left " no blot on their name," 
could "look proudly to heaven from the deathbed of 
fame." 

It is now rumored that France has really recognized us. 
We wondered at her coming to aid us at the eleventh hour. 
Mrs. Thomas and I said we would much rather it had been 
Great Britain, the others preferred France, saying she had 
always shown herself our friend. I asked them in what way, 
as I had never heard of any benefit we had received from her. 
It is said she requested Great Britain to join her in recogniz- 
ing us ; but has she become so poor ? 



GRIFFIN. 227 



" Is she steeped so low 
In poverty, crest-fallen, and palsied so. 
That she must sit, much wroth, but timorous more," 

and knock at Britain's door, asking her aid to stay this 
fratricidal bloodshed ? Has the land of the immortal La- 
fayette really sunk so far, that she could not raise her 
hand and help us without the aid of other nations? Who 
was her ally when she helped the colonies? And, by the 
way, I do not suppose the colonies would have gained their 
independence without her aid. We all know that she has not 
sunk in power since then, but is much greater in all that con- 
stitutes true national greatness. If she has indeed stepped in 
just now to help us (at what seems rather a strange time), it 
is because she wishes us to aid her in keeping Mexico. A lady 
asked me why I took the part of England when it had subju- 
gated Scotland? This assertion roused my national pride not 
a little, and I told her that not even the august Csesar, who 
boasted of having conquered the world, had subjugated Scot- 
land, and that when he conquered England, he had to build ii 
wall to protect his people from the "daring Caledonian." To 
be sure she was, through treachery, under the yoke of England 
for a short time, but her brave sons, with their dauntless dar- 
ing, threw off the yoke, and now the Scott 

"Wanders as free as the wind o'er his mountain," 

For all of this apparent leaning to France I have heard 
many of our people say that the government of Great Britain 
is the best in the world, and wish we had such a one here. 

My kind friend, Dr. Young, is herewith all of the medical 
stores, and we tried to get him to give us some of the medi- 
cines, but to no purpose; he says they were entrusted to his 
care, and he cannot give them up without orders. Dr. Por- 
ter and myself proposed that he might give us a hiiit of where 



228 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

they were so we could help ourselves, but even this he could 
not be induced to do. We have been ordered to have every- 
thing packed up to be handed over to the United States gov- 
ernment — or some one — we do not exactly know who. Having 
no money (excepting dear old Confederate) to pay our way 
home, I asked our post-surgeon. Dr. Foster, if I could not sell 
some of the hospital stores to get some, but he said, " No, that 
all under his care was like a dead man's estate, and he, as 
trustee, was bound in honor to give all up." I must confess 
that this is more honesty than I think necessary. Many of 
our men have not even a change of clothes and have not been 
paid for months, and we are giving up hundreds of suits to the 
United States government. It seems to me, that by right, 
these clothes belong to the men. 

May 4. — I heard yesterday that no cars are running south 
of "West Point. The raiders having destroyed the bridges 
and torn up the tracks in that section, I intend going to New- 
nan to remain there until "something turns up " to take me 
home. I intend to rob the United States government of the 
bedding I have used since I have been in this hospital and 
several other articles. We have two barrels of whiskey, and 
being always valuable, I shall appropriate some of it. To-day 
I tried to exchange some of my stolen goods for flour, as I 
cannot travel with cold corn bread, but I did not succeed. 
This evening a friend of Mrs. Fylfe't sent me some and a few 
eggs, sol am quite rich. Poor Mrs. Fyft'e is in great distress 
as her chances for getting home are very poor, for at least one 
hundred miles of railroad track is torn up between here and 
Chattanooga. Her last words at night and first in the morn- 
ing are " My dear child ; is she living or not?" 



CHAPTER XVI. 



NEWNAN. 



On the train to Atlanta I met Drs. Hughes and Archer 
destined for Newnan, as well as myself. From Jonesboro to 
Atlanta was one scene of desolation, for there day after day 
our brave men had fought manfully against overwhelming 
numbers. The woods showed how desperately for mastery 
each side had fought, as large oaks were riven asunder, their 
branches broken and scattered all around. Ever and anon we 
saw the entrenchments which our brave fellows had throMu 
up ; many a time working all night long after fighting and 
marchhig all day. The field hospitals had been many. The 
bunks, made of the branches of trees, where the poor suf- 
ferers had lain, and where many of them breathed their last, 
were left standing. Nearby the graveyards were to be seen, 
where side by side lay friend and foe. 

"And we can ouly dimly guess 

What worlds of all this world's distress, 
What utter woe, despair and dearth, 

Their fate has brought to many a hearth." 

Shall I ever forget my feelings on viewing the utter ruin 
which met the eye on entering Atlanta? My heart sickened 
as I looked around, for everything bespoke the malignity of 
the foe. It was almost impossible to tell where the depot had 
once stood. The old Gate City hospital was left standing, 
which served as a landmark. Banks, hotels and many other 
buildings, were a blackened mass of ruins. There had been 

229 



'280 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

no Federal troops there since Sherman left, but a garrison had 
just arrived, and were about to plant the stars and stripes over 
the city, or rather the ruins. 

At the depot I met Dr. Burks and Mr. Catelet on their way 
to Kentucky. Mr. Catelet told me that some of our men and 
the Federals had a quarrel, but I advised him and all I saw to 
treat them with perfect indifference, as we were in their power, 
and none but coiuards would taunt a fallen foe. I remained 
all night at the home of Dr. Powell, Mrs. Byrom's brother. 
Mrs. Byrom had just returned from a hospital in Macon, and 
Dr. Powell had also just returned from the army. Their house, 
having been the headquarters of one of the Federal generals, 
did not fare as badly as many of the others. I observed the 
glorious star-spangled banner sketched on many of its walls. 

I arrived at Newnan on May 5, and received a warm wel- 
come from many friends there. Newnan, like many other 
phxces, had suffered from these horrid raids. A short time 
after the armistice was declared, word was brought to town 
that a large army was advancing upon it. The citizens form- 
ing themselves into a body, met the raiders some few miles 
from the town and told them of the armistice. Instead of re- 
-maining where they were, they marched right in. The gen- 
eral comanding and nearly all of the officers and men, made a 
boast, which I am sure were it known, would be scorned and 
contemned by their own people, as well as by us. They said 
had it not been for the armistice, Newnan would have been 
laid in ashes, and the general had some ladies' names written 
down whom he intended to punish for some ill-natured re- 
marks they made to the prisoners captured near there last 
year. I believe one of the ladies committed the unpardonable 
sin of refusing some of the men apples and water. She was 
a refugee and had lost her all, and it was not much wonder she 
was embittered against them. 



NEWXAN. 231 



I was told of another lady who abused the well prisoners 
as they passed her house. Some of us, at the time, were shocked 
to think that she could so far forget herself, as a lady and a 
Christian, as to insult the helpless. But when we remem- 
bered that this lady and her children had been driven from 
their home without shelter or food, these vandals having robbed 
her and set fire to her house, she being compelled to stand by 
looking helplessly on the destruction — when we thought of 
this, we concluded that had we been similarly treated, we 
might have done as she did. I am certain these are all the 
wrongs the prisoners had to endure, unless I add Generals 
Roddy and Wheeler daring to rout the whole command who 
came here then with the kind intentions of laying Newnan in 
ashes, before the terrible wrongs I have just narrated had been 
committed. 

I believe, that notwithstanding all the woe and inhuman- 
ity perpetrated on our unfortunate people by the enemy, 
there is manhood enough in the North to condemn this 
officer. Those things may do in barbarous lands, but they ill 
become the descendants of the great and good men who were 
the followers of the immortal Washington. 

This general remained in the place until many a lady's 
wardrobe and trinkets were stolen. Mrs. Myers gave a des- 
cription of one band who came to her house. They took 
everything available, and after they left, she sat down where 
a door hid her, when in walked a Dutchman, who commenced 
turning over what few things had been left in her drawers 
and trunks. Seeing her, he said : " Madam, they have treated 
you very badly " — meaning himself^ as nothing was left for 
him. She answered : " Yes, what do you want ? " He then 
begged her for some clothes, saying he was much in need of 
them. She told him she had none, or he should have them 
for his politeness in asking. 



232 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

Sunday, May 7. — This is one of tlie gloomiest days I have 
spent since the war. A hundred thousand dollars reward is 
offered for the capture of Jefferson Davis. I am so afraid 
that some of our men may be tempted to betray him for the 
reward. If they should, it would be no more than has been 
done before. Wallace was betrayed by one of his own coun- 
trymen. The reward is offered on the plea that he was acces^ 
sory to the assassination of Lincoln, but we all know that 
even the enemy do not believe that ! The placards, when put 
up here, were immediately torn down by the citizens. 

Some of our people are condemning Davis' administra- 
tion, but if he committed errors, they have been errors of 
judgment, for a truer patriot never lived. He did not bring on 
secession, but accepted it, like many others, as the issue of a 
people's decision, and did what he thought was his duty, when 
the rights of his country were imperiled. 

Sunday, 14. — Our beloved president has been captured, 
and I am glad, as he can clear his fair fame from aspersions 
cast upon it. He has the consolation of religion to support 
him, and also the consciousness of having done his duty to his 
country. 

" Far clearer tlie grave or tlie prison, . 

Illiimiu'd by one patriot name, 
Then tlie trophies of all who have risen 

On liberty's ruins to fame." 

One thing in connection with him has made me feel 
prouder of our people than ever. At this time the country is 
filled with lawless men, whom defeat has made reckless — men 
that rob friend and foe. It seems that bands of these men 
came across Davis, and notwithstanding the immense reward, 
did not molest him. 

We all think that the presence of Federal troops would 
benefit this place, as all Southern rule is gone. Scarcely a 



NEWNAN. 233 



day passes without hearing of some outrage being committed 
by men calling themselves returned Confederates. Some of 
them say they are starving, and no doubt there is plenty of real 
want among the people. In many places of this State the 
people are collecting provisions and money for the destitute, 
and some are getting rations from the Federals. 

Mrs. Bell, a relative of Mrs. Dougherty, has just been 
here. Her home is near where the battle was fought last year. 
Rev. Mr. Hudson, chaplain in Ross' Texas cavalry, was 
wounded near the spine, at that battle, and is now lying at her 
house perfectly helpless. One of his companions is with him 
nursing him, and has been with him ever since the battle. 

I have received much kindness from all here, and many 
have called and invited me to make their homes my home, but 
for all that I am most anxious to get home. I have been try- 
ing ever since I came for some way to go, but, so far, all to no 
purpose. Mrs. Judge Hopkins, of Mobile, is here, and I called 
to see if she knew of any way, but met with disappointment. 
Mrs. Hopkins went into the hospital service at the commence- 
ment of the war, and for years had charge of the Alabama 
hospitals in Richmond. She left that place some time before 
it fell, as all the hospitals were ordered away. Since then she 
has been at a post near Montgomery, and came here for fear 
of Wilson's raid. She told me she had nothing to eat but 
cornmeal and bacon, and that she had drawn from our com- 
missary. Judge Hopkins is with her in very feeble health, 
caused mainly by his poor diet, and had it not been for a little 
pure coffee and sugar, Mrs. Hopkins thinks he would have 
died. 

Since my return to Newnan I received a letter from a 
young lady in Texas, thanking me in most grateful terms for 
some attention I paid her brother, Mr. Angel, while lying- 
wounded in our hospital. She also said she was certain, next 
15 



•234 GLEANINrtS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

to my own State, I cared most for Texas, as I wore a star in 
my hat, while waiting on the Texas soldiers. This having a 
partiality for one state more than another is a feeling I have 
never ex'perienced, as I have found a mixture of good and evil 
in all. 

The lowest and most degraded people I ever met were in 
Tennessee, and the most lelined and highest toned men I have 
met were from that State. The most unruly and dastardly in 
our hospitals were from Louisiana, and yet, to be a Roman in 
the palmiest days of that ancient republic, was no highei- 
honor than to be a citizen of Louisiana. The men from it 
have won laujels for bravery and heroism, which will long 
live in song and story. We all know what it is to be reputed 
a Virginian, a descendant of the ancient cavaliers of Scotland 
and England, and the nobles of France, who left wealth, home 
and their native land to emigrate where they could enjoy that 

"Eternal spirit of the cliainless mind" 

as best suited them. And yet, so it is said, the great Lee was 
deserted, in his last extremity, by hundreds of Virginians. 

I have often remarked that the men from Kentucky and 
Missouri were more intelligent and finer-looking, as a rule, 
than the men from the States further South. I supposed the 
reason of this was that none came from those States excepting 
the better class, men who left their homes from pure patriot- 
ism, while from the other States we had all classes. These 
two States were represented in our army by some of the 
noblest and most dauntless of men, and yet I knew of some 
who strayed widely from the right path. 

Texans and Arkansans I can say but little about, except- 
ing what we all know — their faultless bravery on every battle- 
field. I may say the same of the South Carolinians and Mary- 
landers, who can boast of their descent from the same ancient 



NEM-^NAN. 235 



lineage as the Virginians. I have heard Mississippi abused 
for everything that was contemptible, and yet, when the his- 
tory of the war is written, it will boast of no brighter stars 
than the names of the gallant men from that State. And in all 
the places I have been, I have seen nothing to equal the enthusi- 
asm and patriotism exhibited there. Georgia, poor abused 
Georgia! No State in the Confederacy came forward with 
more alacrity than she did at every call for troops, and I ex- 
})ect none has surpassed her for liberality in providing for the 
sick and wounded. North Carolina and Florida, like others, 
had their lights and shadows. Of the former I know but little, 
excepting the records of deeds of bravery of her noble sons on 
many battlefields. Florida can compete with many of the 
others in everything that is good, biave and heroic. Of my 
own State, Alabama, I need to say but little, as acts speak 
louder than words, and I have recorded enough of them to 
show the character of her people. 

We were waiting to know what was to be our fate after 
the war, when a speech made by President JohnstTon to an 
Indiana delegation was published in the newspapers, which 
struck dismay to many a heart. If he carries out the policy 
indicated in it, the war is not over yet. There are 
men here who never favored the war nor secession, 
who will resist, to the last, any such coeicive 
measures. 

If Johnston wishes the North and South to be united in 
spirit as well as in form, he will have to follow another course. 
God has implanted a desire to resist oppression in the nature 
of every man — "Even the smallest worm will turn, being trod 
on." What wound was ever healed by constant irritation ? 
Have we not been wounded? God knows how terribly ; grant 
that we were in the wrong. Are we the only people that have 
erred ? Let him recollect that 



236 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

" We're the sons of sires that baffled 
Crowned and mitred tyranny ; 
They defied the field and scaffold 
For their birthright — so will we." 

We have not been conquered, but overpowered by num- 
bers, and in no craven spirit would I tell him — for we and all 
we have are in his power — that forbearance and magnanimity 
are godlike virtues, while cruelty and revdnge characterize the 
dastard. If he wishes the South to live in peace and har- 
mony with the North, it will never be done by oppression. 
History gives ns no such examples. God grant that some 
good, wise and able advocote, may rise in our behalf, and that 
ere long, peace with all its blessings, may reign over our now 
distracted land. 

To the people of the South I would also say a few words 
in review of our actions during the eventful years just past: 

Have the planters given of the abundance of their harvests 
to the poor women and children of soldiers who were fighting 
to save their wealth ? But I should not say poor ; none were 
poor whose husbands, sons and brothers offered their lives a 
sacrifice for liberty. 

Have no native Southern men remained at home specu- 
lating on what the planters sold them (thus doubly taking 
the bread from the mouths of these same poor, yet rich sol- 
diers' families) when their country had need of their strong- 
arms ? 

Have no quartermasters and commissaries robbed these 
poor yet rich soldiers, who walked boldly up to the cannon's 
mouth regardless of consequences ? Many have starved, gone 
barefooted and ragged, while these delinquent commissaries 
and quartermasters have lived on the best of the land. 

Have the examining surgeons sent none to the field but 
those who were fit for field service ? 



NEWNAN. 237 



Have the conscript officers taken none for the army that 
the surgeons had discharged as unfit for service, who had they 
been left at home would have made food for themselves and 
families? 

Have the stewards and foragers in hospitals never specu- 
lated on food sold them much cheaper because it was for the 
soldiers and the cause? 

Have there been no officers to whose keeping mothers 
have entrusted their young sons — they promising to guide and 
protect them, but who, as soon as away from restraint, forgot 
all obligations and took advantage of the position given them 
by circumstances, to act the tyrant in many ways, provoking 
many of the men to do what they would otherwise never have 
thought of ? 

Have all the young native Southerners, who cried secession 
and v)ar to the knife before the war broke out, gone into the 
field when their country was bleeding at every pore? 

Have all the refined and Christian women of the South, 
who had no other duties needing their attention, gone into the 
hospitals and prepared little delicacies, which no man has ever 
been able to do, for the poor bed-ridden soldier, who had lost 
all but honor for his country, and when his hours were num- 
bered, stood by his bedside when no mother or sister was 
there to soothe his last moments and lift his thoughts to the 
cross and heaven, where all is peace and love? 

In a word, have the women of the South done their whole 
duty, and can the people of the South, as a whole, say they 
have done their duty ? " It is all over with," some may say, 
" and why bring these things in review before us? " It is not 
all over with. Men and women of the South, there is much 
yet to be done. 

" What are monuments of bravery, 
Where no public virtues bloom?" 



238 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

What, though we had gained our independence, while all 
of these sins were crying out against us, could we, as a nation, 
have gone on in them and prospered ? Never ! We should 
have worked our own downfall, as we have helped to do it 
now. Had we been true to our God and country, with all the 
blessings of this glorious sunny land, I believe we could have 
kept the North, with all her power, at bay for twenty years. 

What 1 would ask now, is for the Southern people to look 
to themselves, fojgetting all the wrongs inflicted on us by our 
foe, in the knowledge that we have sinned against each other. 
I do not mean to forget all we have suffered, for that would 
dishonor the glorious dead. I mean to stop all useless re- 
criminations and look to ourselves. Let us "raise monuments 
where public virtues bloom ! " 

To professed Christians North and South I would say, 
much, very much, depends on you. When God's kingdom on 
earth fails to teach peace and good will towards men, what 
shall become of us ? If we cannot like each other well enough 
in God's kingdom on earth to eat at the same communion 
table, can any of us expect to sit down at the great supper of 
the Lamb, 

" Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet 
Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet." 

In the fall of 1865 there was a meeting held in New York, 
or Boston, of the General Convention of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, and all of the Southern bishops were cordially 
invited to attend. Many accepted the invitation and were re- 
ceived with the greatest kindness by those with whom they had 
been at variance politically for so many years. At the close of 
the meeting a proposition was made to have a special day of 
thanksgiving for the restoration of the Union. When about 
to be put to vote, thinking the woids "lestoration of 



NEWNAN. 239 



the Union " might grate on the feelings of the delegates 
from the South, they were changed to " thanksgiving 
for peace," a consummation in wliich all could heartily 
unite. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

WEST POINT TUSKEGEE MONTGOMERY. 

" The soldier's hope, the patriot's zeal, 

Forever dimmed, forever crossed ; 
O, who sliall say what heroes feel, 

When all but life and honor's lost ? " 

I HAD almost despaired of getting home, and had resolved 
to go to Athmta and get the Federal commandant to send me, 
having been informed that he was sending refugees to their 
homes. While getting ready to go. Captain Nuttand Captain 
Butler called, and informed me I could go with the former and 
his family in the cars to West Point, and from there to Mont- 
gomery in a wagon, the railroad track between these two places 
being all torn up. I thankfully accepted the kind offer, and 
immediately set to work to prepare for the journey. 

On examining my purse it contained in all $4.50 in good 
money, Dr. Hughes having sold my whisky for $3.50 ; and 
having been presented by JDr. Bateman -with a $1 greenback, a 
trophy from the battlefield of Chickamauga, I had thus ac- 
cumulated this large sum. Expecting to be some time on the 
road, I had to procure provisions, and having no money, bar- 
tering was the order of the day. I could not keep from laugh- 
ing at the sight of Mrs. Nutt bartering everything she could 
for food. She was trying to get some eggs in exchange for a 
calico dress, for which she had given the moderate sum of 
1500. As I had never lacked kind friends while enlisting in 
the cause, my good fortune did not desert me now. Each sent 
me something, and considering the starvation times, I was 
abundantly supplied. 

We left on the freight train, and the conductor, charging 



WEST POINT TUSKEGKE MONTGOMERY. 241 

nie $4, my money was soon gone. I did not inform him I had 
been in the service or, I suppose, he would not have charged 
me anything. We reached West Point a few hours before 
sunset, and the scene I there beheld will ever be remembered. 
The river was gently gliding, all heedless of the deadly strife 
so recently enacted upon its banks. The fine bridge by which 
it had been spanned was destroyed ; the depot and warehouse 
were a pile of blackened bricks, and look which way we would, 
ruin and desolation met our gaze at every turn. Covering the 
banks were Confederates returning to their homes ; the faded 
gray uniform being conspicuous everywhere. There were 
some half dozen " blue coats" standing by themselves, as much 
alone as if they were in the deserts of Sahara, instead of being 
in the midst of a people they claimed to have conquered. I 
almost pitied their loneliness ! 

There being nothing to take us across the river but a 
"flat" and a few small row boats, we were detained some few 
hours upon its banks. The different groups of war-worn vet- 
erans and the women and children waiting their turn to cross, 
made a very impressive scene, and I wished 1 had been gifted 
with the pen of an artist to have drawn the picture. Nature 
never appeared more beautiful to me, and as the setting sun 
cast its lambent beams on the grand old trees and scattered 
groups, 

" A vision fell solemn and sweet, 

Bringing gleams of a morning-lit land; 
And I saw the wliite shore which the pale waters beat, 
And I heard the low lull as they broke at my feet, 

Who walked on this beautiful strand. 

" And I wondered why spirits should cling 

To their clay with a struggle and sigh, 
When life's purple autumn is better than spring. 
And the soul flies away like a sparrow to sing, 

In a climate where leaves never die." 



242 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 



The whole scene reminded me of the children of Israel 
sitting on the banks of the Euphrates : 

"Insulted, chained, and all the world a foe. 
Our God alone is all we boast below." 

Several families and ourselves weje the last to cross over 
on the flatboat ; two young- ladies also crossed with us. They 
had evidently run with their valuables from some of the raids ; 
vt^ith them were two negro women, who had charge of their 
trunks. A Federal officer, who appeared to be the post com- 
mandant, was standing near this group. One of the young 
ladies, pointing to a trunk, said : "Take care of that; you 
know it is filled with silver." The negro answered, in an 
audible whisper, "Please, miss, speak lower, or the Yankees 
will hear you and steal it." I looked at the officer, but he 
never raised his head. 

We put up at a large hotel, which we were told had not 
been destroyed, in pity for the proprietor, Mr. Camp, who had 
both of his eyes shot out wliile assisting to defend the tow^n. 
The garrison consisted of seventy-five artillerymen and the 
citizens, amounting to about forty old men and boys. They 
fought manfully for six hours before surrendering against 
2,500 of the enemy. We lost fifteen in killed and had several 
wounded. 

Captain Nutt had procured money by the sale of two 
horses, and kindly oftered to pay my expenses the rest of the 
way. 

Some of the rebels kept up a noise all night singing 
"Dixie," and hurrahing for Jeff Davis. I thought, several 
times, of calling out from the window to them that they were 
whipped, as they did not seem to be aware of the fact. Early 
next morning we were aroused by the information that we 
could go a few miles further on a wood car, aad as our wagon 



WEST POINT TUSKEGKE — MONTGOMERY. 243. 

was not there, Captain Nutt resolved to take the car. We 
were about to drink a cup of coffee when shouts came that the 
car was leaving, so I hurriedly snatched up the pot full of hot 
coffee and ran. Mrs. Nutt seized some other articles, and was 
much grieved at forgetting a valuable bottle of camphor. 
When the conductor came for our fare, on my telling him who 
r was, he said, "AH right," and passed on. 

Our next stopping place was on the bank of a wide creek, 
and as the bridge had shared the fate of the others, we had to 
cross in a small boat. The owner would take nothing but 
Confederate money, and charged 175 in that. 'J'he gentlemen 
said we ought to give three cheers for the Confederacy, as 
there appeared a small spot of it left. 

Several of the men of Captain Nutt's company were with 
us, and they kindly carried my luggage, consisting of a trunk 
and large bundle. After walking about a mile we came to a 
fine house, situated inside of a pretty, shady park, in which 
we made ourselves at home, until late in the afternoon. The 
sun was in a cloud and the breeze blew through the nuigniti- 
cent trees, which had a soothing effect after our hot walk. 
The park was filled with other stragglers besides ourselves, 
rebels returning to their homes, who appeared to enjoy the 
cool retreat. We knew of no way of getting on, so, like 
Micawber, were " waiting for something to turn up." 

One of our party was a young man, Captain Cloud, who 
had served under the redoubtable John Morgan. Being at 
that time outlawed by the governor of Kentucky, his native 
State, he was much grieved at not being able to get home to 
see his mother and sisters. 

Captain Nutt was a lawyer in Shreveport, La., and joined 
the army at the first call of his country. He had commanded 
a company of scouts and had seen service in the Virginia and 
Tennessee armies. While wounded and a prisoner his wife 



244 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

had gone through the lines and remained with him until he 
was released. 

In our shady retreat was a party from Helena, Ark., who 
like ourselves, were trying to get home. By the afternoon 
the gentlemen managed to procure a wagon which took all the 
baggage and the children, the latter consisting of three pretty 
little girls, belonging to Captain Nutt. A short time before dark 
we reached a small town called Cussetta, in which was but one 
hotel. It was in a most dilapidated condition, and we were 
fearful if a storm arose it would be blown down. 

Our Arkansas friends were with us, and they related many 
incidents of the war in that State. The lady had an invalid 
aunt, who lived in a beautiful home, surrounded by all of the 
luxuries and comforts of life. The enemy went there, and, 
without any provocation, excepting her Southern proclivities, 
carried her out and then set fire to the house. 

Hundreds of rebels were constantly passing, some from 
Lee's army going south, and others from the gulf department 
going north. Their demeanor, in general, betokened a quiet 
submission to the inevitable. One band occupied an empty 
store near us, and sang hymns nearly all night. We saw 
General Allen and his stall" pass, and all had the same air of 
resignation. 

I had a great treat in being able to purchase two ounces 
ol pure c({fee, for which I paid 20 cents in silver. Captain 
Nutt replenished his larder by buying fried chicken and sweet 
milk from a farmer. 

We remained at this delectable place two nights and a day, 
and were much rejoiced when a wagon was found to take us 
to Opelika, sixty-seven miles north of Montgomery. On ar- 
riving there we were very much disappointed to find no way 
of getting further, but were consoled by the order and cleanli- 
ness of the hotel, a vivid contrast to the one we had just left. 



WEST POINT TUSKEGEE MONTGOMERY. 245 



General Bragg and his staff stopped awhile, and I was most 
grateful to them for taking my baggage in their Magon, as far 
as Tuskegee. Mrs. Nutt, like a true soldier^ had none but 
what she could carry in her hand. These gentlemen would 
have taken us also, but their horses were completely worn 
out, having come a great distance. 

At Opelika Captain Nutt's men left us, as they were all 
anxious to get to their homes in Louisiana. They fairly adored 
their captain, having been with him during the whole cam- 
paign. I regretted parting with them, for they had been most 
kind in assisting me on this trip, and I found them, as I have 
ever found the Southern soldiers, true gentlemen. The enemy, 
as usual, had destroyed the depot, the warehouses, numbers of 
cars, and torn up the railroad track. There were four churches 
in Opelika, but, from some cause, they were all closed Sunday, 
May 21. 

In the afternoon we took a walk around the fortifications, 
which were quite extensive. The largest commanded the 
Columbus' and Montgomery road, and as far as the eye could 
reach not a tree was to be seen, having been cut down to pre- 
vent the enemy's having a cover. We met several men re- 
turning from the army in Mobile, and they relieved my mind 
a good deal by informing me that there had been no fighting 
in the city at its capture. Poor fellows, they appeared weaiy 
and ill, one having been wounded in the foot. At all times 
could be seen hundreds of Confederate soldiers wending their 
way home, many of them in rags and bare-footed — the sad 
remnant of a brave but unfortunate army. 

On Monday a locomotive and tender came from Columbus 
to take us a little further. Before starting the gentlemen 
called out to Mrs. Nutt and myself to hurry, as many soldiers 
were going, and said that Southern chivalry being played out 
we would not get a seat. They were mistaken, for as soon as 



246 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

we made our appearance the soldiers made room for us. We 
crowded the engineer so much that he could scarcely work the 
engine. After going a short distance we espied two freight 
cars, which were pressed into service, very foitunately for us, 
as a heavy rain fell shortly after boarding them. 

In our car were a number of officers, and the discussion 
as to the cause of our failure was quite itmusing, each having 
an opinion of his own. The merits and demei'its of our com- 
manders was the chief topic, and the opinions being so varied, 
coming to any conclusion was simply out of the question. 
Some said that Lee was no general, and that Johnston was 
much his superior, and others quite the reverse. 

Our Conversation next turned upon Napoleon, and from 
some remarks I made regarding him, a friend said that he did 
not think I liked him. I answered that I did not glorify him 
as I heard many do, though his meteor-like genius filled me 
with aw^e and admiration. But I could not like any man who 
made glory and ambition his god, and everything subservient 
to his love of power ; and one, who had broken the most sacred 
of earthly ties; and had waded through the best blood of his 
countrymen to aggrandize himself, bringing woe and desola- 
tion where, had he loved glory less, would have been peace and 
prosperity. I might have said that I disliked him for the same 
reason that the children of today, in time to come, might hate 
the Federals, as my mother's father was imprisoned by him 
for many years. And another idea presented itself, when on 
this subject, viz.: The hatred of all toward the enemy of today, 
and how time might make us forget and foigive all. The fore- 
fathers of nearly all these had fought against mine, and my 
paternal grandfather, w^hen a midshipman, was captured by 
the redoubtable Paul Jones and carried a prisoner to France. 
And, by the way, here was another proof that the colonies had 
foreign aid, for Paul Jones being a Scotchman was familiar 



WKST POINT — TUSKEGEK M(>XTGOMERY. 247 



with the rocks and shoals aiouud his native shores, find tins 
made him the successful privateersman he was in that part of 
the world. 

After going- a few miles our progress was again checked 
by the destruction of another bridge. Enough of it was left 
for a pathway, so over it we went. We met several fine-look- 
ing Missourians, who, being outlawed by their State, were on 
their way to join Kirby Smith. We lemained several hours 
on the banks of the creek near a small village called Cheeo- 
haw, while Captain Nutt went in search of a conveyance to 
take us to Tuskegee, about four or five miles distant. 

On exploring, Mrs. Nutt and myself found, two springs of 
delicious cool water, and, near by, a delightful giove of trees, 
which we enjoyed, the day being extremely warm. The whole 
ycene was wild and solemn, and as I gazed at the ruins made 
around the rural retreat, I involuntarily exclaimed : "llow^ 
beautiful are all of God's works until defaced by man." 

We were so much pleased with the prospect that we con- 
cluded, if the captain failed in procuring a conveyance, to re- 
main there all night, and, besides, we were both returning home 
without ever having "camped out." The captain returned un- 
successful, but said there was a small house where we could 
find shelter for the night. In vain we protested against leav- 
ing our rural retreat ; but the captain was inexorable, said we 
would have chills by morning if we remained there, so we had 
to obey our commandhi g o^cer, pack up our "truck" and 
march. 

The day being very warm and the house about a half a 
mile off, the walk was fatiguing. The two oldest little girls 
stood the journey like good soldiers, but the youngest, a three- 
year-old little beauty, named Nannie, broke down when half 
way and wept bitterly. Her mother told her she was no rebel 
if she cried in that manner. 



248 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

The house was deserted by its owners, no one being there 
excepting a few negroes in the kitchen. The soldiers were 
still on the tramp^ and a wounded one, from Lee's army, came 
in to rest. The merits of our generals were again the subject 
of discussion. When the young man heard Lee disparaged I 
became quite alarmed, thinking the war had recommenced, 
but it was only one of words, and did no harm. Lee's cham- 
pion said the first thing he intended doing, on his arrival at 
home, was to take a life partner. I had heard many of our 
young men say the same thing. The loss of home for so many 
years had the good effect of making " the dearest spot of 
earth " duly appreciated. 

A little before suntlown a wagon was procured, in which 
the children. Captain Cloud, who was lame from a wound, and 
myself were placed. Captain Nutt and his wife preferring to 
walk. We went at what is termed "snail pace," as the three 
mules drawing us had been at work all day. When about half 
way we stopped at a very pretty place, where the inmates, 
refugees from Kentucky, old friends of Captain Nutt's, came 
out to see us. 

Our driver, a good old negro man, sang hymns nearly all 
of the way. We reached Tuskegee at 10 o'clock at night, arid 
our senses were greeted by the delicious perfume of the ca]:e 
jasmine, which abound there in great profusion. We put w\> 
at a nice hotel, where we had pure coffee, and, indeed, the 
table was supplied with everything the same as in peace 
times. The landlord, Mr. Kelley, had a son just returned 
from Forrest's command. He and Captain Cloud being old 
friends, talked over their campaigns like real veterans. Tus- 
kegee is the capital of Macon county, and is forty miles east of 
Montgomery. It contains some fine buildings, and one of 
them is a large college for the education of girls. The flower 
gardens are really lovely. I rambled through the town with 



WEST POINT TUSKEGEK MONTGOMERY. 249 

our host's daughter, and met many pretty gaily dressed young 
ladies promenading, evidently not much distressed by the war. 
But the place had been spared the blight of war, as the raiders 
that passed through were in too great haste for higher game 
to do it any damage. 

I called upon Mrs. John Battle, of Mobile, to see if she 
knew of any way for me to get home, but she knew of none. 
She told me that when she heard of the approach of the raiders 
to the town she sent two carriage horses and some valuables 
with a negro man into the woods for safety. All were cap- 
tured. The negro man made his escape, and told her that the 
Federals, not being able to get the horses to work in the saddle, 
shot them. 

After remaining three days in Tuskegee, we left in an open 
wagon, but having two large umbrellas, did not suffer much 
from the heat. We started before sunrise, and had not gone 
far when we beheld the encampment of the troops, sent to 
garrison the town. The soldiers were preparing breakfast. 
As this was my first view of the Federals, excepting as 
prisoners, I looked at them through curiosity, but the rest of 
our party never gave them one glance. They had some negro 
women and children with them, the most squalid, miserable- 
looking creatures I ever beheld. We met several negro men 
going to join them, and the negro boy driving us shouted out: 
" You had better keep away, as the Yankees are hanging all 
the darkies they can get." The owner of the wagon, a white 
man, who drove us, told us that the owner of one of the old 
men, who was hobbling to the Yankees, had treated him exactly 
like one of his own family. 

At noon we stopped at a charming spot, where we alighted 
for dinner, under the shelter of a delightful grove of oaks. A 
lady, Mrs. Elder, living near, kindly invited me to make some 
coffee on her kitchen stove. She also gave me a pitcher full 

16 



250 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

of sweet milk. After a good rest we resumed our journey, 
and several times came nearly having a disaster, our mules 
taking fright at the numbers of dead horses and cattle of all 
kinds which strewed the way, the enemy having killed all for 
which they had no use. We met hundreds of negroes — men, 
women and children — returning to their homes from Mont- 
gomery, where they had had a taste of freedom, and judging 
from their appearance, it had brought them everything else 
but happiness. 

As we journeyed along we sang the laments of Ireland, as 
they best accorded with our feelings. Our conversation was 
sad, indeed, as we recalled the terrible past, and spoke of the 
gloomy future. Even the wind sighing through the trees 
had a melancholy sound, and bemoaned and lamented with us 
o'er our buried hopes and the graves of that band of uncon- 
quered heroes, whose names are radiant with immortality : 

"The flowers of the forest that fought — aye, the foremost — 
The prime of our laud are cauld in the clay." 

" We'll hear no mair liltin' at the ewe milkin', 
Women and bairns are heartless and wae ; 

Sighin' and moanin' on ilka green loamin', 
The flowers ot the forest are a' wede away." 

As we neared Montgomery the country presented a rich 
appearance and had an air of prosperity. We passed many 
fine plantations, the homesteads of which were magnificent 
houses embowered in luxuriant shrubbery and lovely flower 
gardens. We had heard so much about the ladies of Mont- 
gomery and Mobile having given the Federals a warm wel- 
come, that our party was ready to accuse every lady we met 
of the same crime. They bitterly denounced the Alabama 
girls for acting as reports said they done, so when a beautiful 
young girl passed us on horseback, accompanied by a fine- 



WEST POINT — TUSKEGEE MONTGOMERY. 251 

looking young man, they were certain he was a Yankee. To 
make sure, they asked a lady and gentleman who were passing 
who he was, and they said he had been a Confederate oflQcer 
and had just returned from the army. 

We next passed a party of ladies and gentlemen, and 
from their festive appearance we thought them a bridal party. 
My folks instantly concluded that an Alabama girl had been 
married to a Yankee. I gave up all hope of being able to de- 
fend the women of my State from such ocular proof of their 
guilt. 

At dark we stopped at a house twelve miles from Mont- 
gomery, which was untenanted, excepting by a few negroes in 
the kitchen. They gave us an unfurnished room to lodge in 
for the night, and a good old negress brought us a mattress 
from her own bed and put it upon the floor. Mrs. Newsom 
spread a blanket on the floor for the children, and the gentle- 
men improvised beds for themselves in the hall. I did not 
like the idea of sleeping upon the negro's mattress, but Mrs. 
NcAvsom did not mind it. As it was the best we could get, 
and being weary with our day's jolting, we wrapped ourselves 
in our shawls and had a good night's rest. 

We were aroused from our sweet slumbers at four o'clock 
next morning, it being as dark as Erebus, and started on our 
journey. When within a short distance of Montgomery we 
came upon the Federal encampment — the headquarters of the 
commanding general— where the gentlemen had to have their 
paroles inspected. 

As we journeyed on camp after camp came in view filled 
with the mighty host who had taken our fair heritage from us. 
The gentlemen were silent, but the expression of their coun- 
tenances showed the indignation they felt at seeing their na- 
tive land in the hands of the conqueror. Oh! I felt so sad as 
visions of the terrible past arose in review before me the 



252 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

days, weeks and months of suffering I had witnessed, and all 
for naught. JMany a boyish and manly face in the full hey-day 
of life and hope, now lying in the silent tomb. But it is not 
the dead we most think of, for 

"They live immortal, and for them 

We need not drop the tear; 
Each wears a golden diadem 

In a celestial sphere." 

We were a solemn company, and the sights greeting us 
on our entrance to the city did not dispel the gloom. The stars 
and stripes were floating over many of the large buildings, and 
Federal officers and privates were thronging the streets. We 
put up at the Exchange Hotel, and found in the parlor quite 
a number of refugees — French people, returning to New Or- 
leans. With all the characteristics of that light-hearted peo- 
ple, they were playing the piano and enjoying themselves with 
as much gusto as if there had never been one dark hour in our 
sunny land. This cheerfulness was strange to us, but per- 
haps it was wise. These people had done their duty — had 
failed — and finding it useless to repine were 

" Acting in the living present, 
• Heart within and God o'erhead." 

Capt. Nutt concluded to go to Mobile by the river, and as 
it took much longer than the cars, I preferred the latter. I 
had not heard from home in three months, and to add to my 
anxiety news had just reached us of a terrible gunpowder ex- 
plosion, which had demolished a large part of the city. 

I had an order for transportation from our quartermaster, 
from which I hoped to get a ticket from the Federal com- 
mandant to pass me on the cars. I called upon Mrs. Dr. 
Scott to see if I could not borrow money to pay Captain Nutt 
what I owed him, but found her as poor as myself. She had 



WEST POINT TUSKKGKE MONTGOMERY. 253 

been in possession of 15, which she had obtained by selling 
vegetables, and the doctor had gone to Pensacola with naught 
but this large amount to pay his way. She introduced me to 
Col. Jones, superintendent of the Pensacola Railroad, who told 
me if I could not get a ticket from the Federals he would give 
me a note to the superintendent of the Mobile road, so that I 
could pay after my arrival. 

Mrs. Scott informed me that Montgomery had suffered 
much from the Federal soldiers. A negro soldier had entered 
her home as she was seated in the hall sewing and demanded 
all of her valuables. On her refusing he cursed her, and hold- 
ing a drawn sword over her head, threatened to kill her if she 
did not do so. She thought had it not been for her seeming 
bravery and the protection of a negro woman, who stood by 
her, he would assuredly have taken her life. She bad her 
house guarded for days afterward by white Federal soldiers, 
and many of the citizens had to be protected in the same man- 
ner. Her horse had been stolen by a soldier, but on her mak- 
ing complaint the horse was restored. 

There was much destitution, and many, who had been 
wealthy, were then drawing rations from the Federals. There 
had been no fighting in the capture of Montgomery, so it did 
not suffer like Selma, which was in ruins. We were told that 
the streets of that city ran with blood, from the slaughter of 
hundreds of cattle, the enemy having killed those for which 
they had no use. Some of the tales of the atrocities commit- 
ted there, on the outskirts of the city, were appalling, and put 
completely in the shade anything done by Sherman's men. 
One of them is too well authenticated to have the least doubt 
of its truthfulness. 

About six miles from Selma lived Capt. Crawford Phillips 
and his brother. Dr. John Phillips, in elegant mansions, sur- 
rounded by all the luxuries that wealth can bestow. At the 



254 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

house of Capt. Phillips lived a Mr. Hyde, an infirm old man, 
his wife and two daughters, refugees from New Orleans. 
When General Wilson attacked the city all of the men were 
there fighting in its defense, so none were left in the neigh- 
borhood but women and children, with the exception of Mr. 
Hyde, he being too infirm to go. After the capture the men 
were detained as prisoners for some time, so could not return 
to protect their homes. Wilson's troops were permitted to 
roam through the country and commit any depredations they 
wished. A band of these barbarians went to the house of 
Capt. Phillips, and Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Hyde took their 
seats on the front piazza while the marauders ransacked the 
house for valuables. While these ladies were seated in despair, 
unable to do aught in defense of their goods, a negro girl came 
running to them shouting, " The house is on tire." Mrs. Hyde 
immediately went in search of her husband whom she had left 
in his room, because as he was very deaf and infirm, she 
thought he would be beneath the notice of the men. On run- 
ning to her room she found the door locked, and implored 
some men who were passing to break it open. They did so, 
and flames rushed to meet her, but through the flames she saw 
the form of her beloved husband tied to a bed post and no 
possible hope of saving him. She immediately swooned, and 
was carried off by the men. After the fire was out the old 
man's charred remains were picked up and the wife carried 
them about with her in her apron, the shock, for the time, 
having bereft her of reason. It was supposed that the men, 
thinking Mr. Hyde the owner of the house, had demanded 
money from him, and took this cruel barbarous method of ob- 
taining it. 

These ruffians stopped at nothing when money was their 
object. Mrs. James Watson, whose husband is a Presbyterian 
minister, lived near the Phillips', told me as she tremblingly 



WEST POINT TUSKEGEE — MONTGOMERY. 255 

sat upon her front piazza, not knowing what her fate would 
be, she saw the flames ascending from many a beautiful home. 
She never could tell why her home was leftunburned, for they 
ransacked it from top to bottom, and threatened time and 
again to set it on fire. 

The Sunday that Selma was captured Mr. Watson was 
preaching in the Presbyterian Church along with Rev. Mr. 
Small, when both were called upon to help defend the city. 
They were sent to the trenches and two rusty muskets placed 
in their hands. After the city was in possession of the enemy, 
a squad of troops came to them and ordered them to surren- 
der, and, at the same time, fired into them. Mr. Small was 
instantly killed and Mr. Watson taken a prisoner. Before 
going to prison he pleaded hard to be permitted to take his 
friend's corpse into a house, but all in vain. The Episcopal 
minister, Mr. Tichnor, was wounded, I think, at the same time. 

I did not succeed in getting a pass from the Federals, so 
Col. Jones very kindly gave me the promised note. I had no 
money to pay my kind friend, Captain Nutt, but hoped to do 
so on his reaching Mobile. I put my roll of Confederate 
money away with a sigh as memories of what it once was 
came in review before me. 

Representing nothing on God's earth now, 

And nauglit in the water below it — 
As the pledge of a nation that's dead and gone, 

Keep it, dear friend, and show it. 

Show it to those who will lend an ear 

To the tale that this trifle will tell, 
Of Liberty born of a Patriot's dream, 

Of a storm-cradled nation that fell. 

Too poor to possess the precious ores, 

And too much of a stranger to borrow, 
We issued to-day her promise to pay, 

And hoped to redeem on the morrow. 



256 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 



The days rolled on and weeks became years, 

But our coffers were empty still ; 
Coin was so scarce that the Treasury quaked 

If a dollar should drop in the till. 

But the faith that was in us was sti*ong indeed, 

And our poverty well we discerned, 
And this little check represents the pay 

That our suffering veterans earned. 

We knew it had hardly a value in gold. 

Yet as gold our soldiers received it ; 
It gazed in our eyes with & j^romise to pay. 

And each patriot soldier believed is. 

But our boys thought little of price or pay. 

Or the bills that were over-due ; 
We knew if it bought our bread to-day, 

'Twas the best our poor country could do. 

Keep it, it tells our history over, 

Fi'om the birth of the dream to the last; 

Modest and born of the Angel Hope, 
Like our hope of success, it j^assed. 

This graphic poem forcibly portrays " the hope that was 
ill us." It was written by Major S. A. Jonas, of Aberdeen, 
Miss., upon a Confederate bill and presented to Miss Anna 
Kush, of Philadelphia. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

MOBILE. 

On entering my home I found my soldier brother, having 
no other employment, washing dishes, and my younger sister 
cooking, as a negro could not be gotten to work for any price. 

Mobile was not surrendered without a desperate resist- 
ance at the forts. For seventeen days our troops withstood 
ten times their number, besides the fire of a formidable fleet 
of gunboats. We lost heavily, and Mobile was again called upon 
to mourn the loss of many of her brave sons. As numbers from 
Hood's army were in the garrisons, nearly every State in the 
SoQth had to mourn for the loss of the soldiers. 

I found that our people had been sadly misrepresented 
and instead of the joyful welcome we heard had been accorded 
to the triumphant army, the city had the quietness of the 
grave. Every blind was closed, and the streets completely de- 
serted by all, exceptuig negroes. If the plague had entered 
the city it could not have had a gloomier appearance. After- 
wards there were but one or two ladies who countenanced the 
enemy in any way, and these ladies were ostracised by their 
friends. The officers were treated with silent contempt, and 
many of them said they would prefer impertinence. A band 
discoursed " sweet music " daily on the public square ; recep- 
tions were given ; reviews of troops in gay trappings were 
displayed — but all to no purpose ; with a few exceptions, the 
women of Mobile were true to their dead. The color of blue 
was wholly ignored, and I heard a little girl crying bitterly 

257 



258 GLEANINGS FROAI SOUTHLAND. 

because her mother was putting a blue ribbon on her hat, say- 
ing, " 1 shall be taken for a Yankee." I had a hat on which 
there was a tine blue flower of which I was not a little proud. 
Not knowing of the embargo on blue, I put the hat on to go 
and bid farewell to my friends, Captain Nutt and family. I 
was somewhat annoyed on my way to the boat by the Federals 
staring at me, and even Mrs. N. remarked on the circum- 
stance. On my return home, while relating the matter to my 
sisters, they commenced to laugh, and told me why my ad- 
mirers had been attracted by the blue flower; the color being 
a sign of fealty to them..^, .,. ., 

My mother returned^shortly after I did, glad enough to do 
so, having been gone from home over four years. She had 
some trouble in getting from New Orleans, as she had to get 
a passport from that city. She was on the steamer ready to 
start when an officer came on board and ordered her oft". She 
had to go up to the city and get a friend to testify that she 
. was not a dmigeroiix character. I cannot imagine, at that late 
day, the war being over, why a passport was necessary. 

The negroes being free, were acting like children on a 
frolic. The main portion of the women did little else than 
walk the streets, dressed in the most gaudy attire. 

It was perfectly marvelous, the manner in which we be- 
came accustomed to do our own work. After awhile, we man- 
aged to hire a woman to cook, she and her husband having 
come from the country. One day the poor old woman came 
to us in tears, asking our aid to try and make her husband 
behave himself. She said he had fallen in love with another 
"gal" and was mistreating her (the wife) accordingly. She 
was perfectly astonished when I asked her if he treated her 
in that manner before he was free? "No indeed," she said, 
" my master would not have 'lowed that." 

The negro men, never having had the responsibilities of 



MOBILE. 259 

their families, gave a good deal of Wouble in the Federal 
courts. One old man being called up for deserting his wife 
for another, informed the court that he was tired of that old 
" gal " and wanted a young one. 

It was a rare thing to see the name of a white man in the 
police reports. It would appear as if the shock we had sus- 
tained had bettered, for the time, even the most turbulent. 

The negroes became more intolerant every day, and it 
took all of the dignity and strength of mind we could com- 
mand to bear with them. My first Sunday at home, I went 
to afternoon service, accompanied by two little nieces, and the 
streets were fairly blocked by gaily dressed negro men and 
women. On our return we had to pass a negro church, and 
the sidewalk was filled with them, and not one moved to let 
us pass, so we were compelled to take the middle of the street. 
We met with several obstructions of the same kind, and as 
we neared home my blood was at fighting heat, but-I managed 
to master my feeling. We came across a number of negio 
children, and I politely asked them to let us pass, but they 
very rudely said, " The middle of the road is for you and the 
sidewalk for us." To this sally I did not offer them the other 
cheek, but'issued a command that scattered them quicker than 
they had done for some time. In a house near us lived some 
negro women, and many a night we were regaled by their 
being serenaded by negro troops. The songs consisted chiefly 
of what was to be done with the white people, when the negroes 
got into power. One of their favorites seemed to be that 
lovely refrain, " The hanging of Jett" Davis on a sour apple 
tree." 

Many will ask, at this late day, if there was no redress 
for such insolence, and, from what I can recollect, there 
was none. For one thing, a Southerner felt lowered coming 
in conflict with the negro in a court of justice, and, besides, 



260 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

they would swear to anything false. This state of affairs did 
not last very long, as the Federals hecame tired of their 
" pets," and the aforesaid " pets " had to lower their tone, and 
many of them also found out that the Southern people were 
their best friends. 

Not being in Mobile at the time of the explosion, I shall 
copy from a paper, now before me, written by an eye-witness : 

" On the 25th of May, six weeks after the city was surren- 
dered, and we were beginning to calm down after the stormy 
four years of trials, thankful that all was over ; on a fine sun- 
shiny day, we were awakened from our fancied security by the 
most terrific crash that ever greeted mortal ears. No bom- 
bardment, earthquake or sudden bursting of a volcano, could 
have spread such havoc in so short a space of time. The very 
earth shook and houses trembled to theii- foundations. This 
was followed by a continuous bursting of shells. The air was 
filled with flying timbers, bales of cotton, barrels of rosin, 
amies and horses, and imndreds of human beings, dense 
volumes of smoke curled and rolled in massive grandeur, far 
above the scene of desolation beneath. The constant bursting 
shells scattered the falling debris in every direction, and for 
many minutes a perfect hail storm of shot and missies filled 
the air. During the remainder of the day and night the 
heavy boom of bursting shells gave warning that the danger 
was not past. 

" Horror and consternation were depicted on every counte- 
nance, and it was some time before the cause, the blowing up 
of the United States arsenal, was known. A thousand wild 
rumors prevailed; the Confederates distrusting the Federals, 
and vice versa, but this feeling soon vanished. All the bells 
in the city were rung, but when the firemen reached the scene 
they could do but little, on account of the incessant bursting 
of shells. United States soldiers, sailors, paroled Confeder- 



MOBILE. 261 

ates and citizens, all vied with each other in rescuing the 
dead and wounded. The shrieks that rent the air were truly 
appalling and touched the hearts of all. It is supposed thiit 
a thousand persons perished, 800 of v/hom were negroes. 
Several persons, quite a distance off, died from the concussion. 
An officer had just dismounted from his horse near the Battle 
House, and the shock killed the horse instantly, but the man 
was unhurt. A mile from the explosion a man was blown 
from the wharf, and had his leg broken. 

"The shock was distinctly heard at Fort Morgan, a dis- 
tance of thirty miles, and the troops rushed to parapets, think- 
ing one of the monitors had exploded. Many believed an 
earthquake had come, and rushed into the streets to avoid 
the falling buildings; others thought that a cannonade was 
fired at their especial premises. Every building within the 
radius of a mile was more or less shattered. 

" The magazine was in a large two-story warehouse called 
' The Marshalls,' and was one ol the very strongest in the city. 
At this time it was said to contain 200 tons of amunition, con- 
sisting of 600,000 musket cartridges, many barrels of cannon 
powder, a large number of blank musket cartridges, and an 
immense quantity of loaded shells, grape, canister and solid 
shot for field and siege guns. The amount of powder was 
thirty tons. How the calamity originated will never be known, 
as every one in the vicinity immediately perished, but it was 
generally believed to have been caused by the dropping of a 
percussion shell by one of the soldiers in the magazine. 

" Let one go to an eminence and look down upon the ruirs, 
and it is hard to realize that so much of busy life could have been 
so instantaneously hurled to destruction. Long lines of substan- 
tial buildings, warehouses, foundries, cotton presses, mills, all 
in complete operation ; steamboats loading and unloading bales 
of hay, cotton, and other merchandise; on the streets were 



262 GLEANINGS PROM SOUTHLAND. 



drays and long trains of army wagons. The ruin over this 
space was so complete that it was only by the aid of maps, 
men could find where their places of business had been. In 
many of the cotton sheds and yards every available space was 
filled with negro men, women and children, and a number of 
negro troops." 

I shall let imagination give vent to the human suffering, 
which this terrible calamity caused, for being weary with all 
the woe I have witnessed in the past, I have no doubt the 
reader is the same. Of course, the responsibility rested upon 
those who had such a quantity of ammunition in a crowded 
city. The loss to the people was immense, but, along with 
their other trials, it was borne with Christian resignation. 

T^ TT tP -tP "tP ^ -Jf 

After the surrender all the houses were searched for fire- 
arms, so an officer and some soldiers searched ours. As we 
had accumulated many bags of precious rags, it took them 
some time, as they went from the cellar to the garret. My 
sister said, had she not been filled with indignation and terror, 
she would have laughed outright when they entered the rag 
warerootn and emptied every rag bag. The ofiicer was very 
polite and assured the inmates that the task was a most dis- 
agreeable one, but one he was compelled to fulfill. We had a 
dress sword of my grandfather's, one which he had worn 
under the great Nelson, and my sisters hid it on top of award- 
robe, wiiere it escaped capture. I think all they got was an 
old flint lock gun. I had several relics of the war, but my 
sisters fearing trouble, destroyed them. 

Hundreds of paroled soldiers, for sometime after the war 
were constantly passing through the city, and the people, with 
even more zeal than at first, carried them clothes and pro- 
visions to the cars, or to any place where we could hear of 
their being. 



MOBILE. 263 

We all felt great sympathy for each other's trials, and to 
get together and talk over our misfortunes, afforded us much 
consolation. Any joke told about the Federals was sincerely 
relished. The people of wealth gladly gave up their houses to 
the officers, knowing that by so doing, their property would 
be taken care of. The general in command was domiciled in 
one of the handsomest houses in the place. One day the door 
bell rang, and as there were no servants, it was answered by 
the lady of the house. On opening the door, a delegation of 
" ladies of color," carrying an immense bouquet of flowers, pre- 
sented themselves and requested to see the general. Mrs. , 

taking in the situation at a glance, politely escorted them into 

the parlor and informed General that some ladies 

wished to see him, saying nothing about their color. After 
making an elaborate toilet, he entered the parlor, and was not 
a little nonplussed, when one of the delegation presented him 
with the bouquet, as a token of regard for his having given 
them their freedom. He threw it from him, and advising the 
delegation to go home to the freedom of the wash-tub, marched 
out of the room. I cannot vouch for the truth of this anecdote, 
but have no reason to doubt its authenticity. 

A good deal of money was circulated by the Union troops, 
which helped us a good deal. The friends of many in Europe 
aud other places, sent money and clothes, but with all there 
was much destitution. For a good while, tha Federals gave 
rations to any who were not too proud to accept them. 

I was much interested in the trial of Wirz, for I had been 
with hundreds of prisoners and could well testify to the 
humane treatment they had all received at our hands, and be- 
sides, not a day passed that some of our poor fellows were not 
arriving from the Northern prisons telling tales of suffering 
that were truly appalling ; in a land, too, where plenty flowed 
in abundance. And then, was the Northern government not 



264 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

responsible for our having prisoners at all ? Is not the proof 
too evident for discussion, how Davis' begging for an exchange 
w^as disregarded? When our own men starved, how could 
we feed prisoners? When not even medicine, which is rarely 
withheld in war, was permitted to come through the lines, 
how could we heal their sick ? I could see no justice in the 
trial of Wirz, unless a Wirz could have been selected from the 
North to have gone through the same ordeal. 1 feel assured 
that Time, the corrector of false statements, will right this, as 
he has done many other wrongs. 

Our handsome medical college, with its valuable museum, 
was taken for a negro school. This was a severe ordeal for 
the medical fraternity, and especially for our much-loved and 
esteemed Dr. Nott, one of its founders. The specimens in the 
museum had taken him, and other scientific men, years to col- 
lect. It was left to the mercy of the ignorant pupils, and many 
of its finest specimens "were totally ruined. 

The teachers of the negroes were from the North, as at 
that time, no Southerner could think of taking a position of 
that kind. In this, as in many other things in regard to the 
negro, we Avere not wise, but prudence was not one of oui- 
virtues in those days. Common sense ought to have told us 
that in the negro was an element that could have been 
moulded to our interest, and it was this influence that caused 
much of the subsequent trouble in our city. Numbers of un- 
scrupulous men thronged the place, and through the vote of 
the negro obtained any office they wished. 

But the good of the country was little thought of, for 
the hope seemed to have fled and despair reigned supreme. 
Many said they would never vote again, and my father, along 
with others, renewed his allegiance to Great Britain. This, 
of course, was all wrong, as we found out when suffering 
under the robbers who had sole control of everything. Nothing 



MOBILE. 265 

but the lack of means kept thousands from immigrating any 
place, so it was out of the United States. Some families did 
leave. One party from Jefferson county left for South Amer- 
ica. They consisted of Mr. B. P. Worthington and family, his 
three brothers named Truss, and their families, Mr. William 
Vann, Dr. R. Green, and others. They sailed from New Or- 
leans in the ship Neptune, in April, 1866. Their destination 
was Rio Janeiro, and when near the island of Cuba a terrific 
storm wrecked them on that coast. As far as I know, they 
all returned, determined "to bear their present ills" rather 
than " those they knew not of." 

We had one friend who was enabled to look calmly into 
the future and to think that all would yet be well. He was 
our beloved pastor — Dr. Peirce. He had lost much by the 
war, so could well understand the feelings of his people. One 
of his congregation was so bitter that she would not say the 
Lord's prayer, and, of course, could not come to the Holy Com- 
munion. One Sunday he preached from the text, " It is hard 
for thee to kick against the pricks." He told us that our 
future welfare depended upon the manner in which we took 
the defeat, which God in his wisdom had sent us. And if we 
bore up under our trial, as Christians should, these very 
people, who were our enemies now, would work for our good, 
as St. Paul did for the Christians that he had persecuted with 
so much zeal. In a manner this fact has been verified, though 
at the time I was as sceptical as many others on that subject. 

The remains of several of our heroes were brought from 
distant States, and shame to those responsible, were not per- 
mitted to pass the Union encampment, which was near the 
graveyard, and the solemn procession was compelled to take 
a circuitous route to reach that sacred precinct. As this out- 
rage was committed in other places, and was well known, we 

were thankful to see both Democratic and Republican Nortb- 
17 



266 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

ern papers condemn this heartless tyranny of those "clothed 
with a little brief authority." The remarks in the Northern 
papers in regard to the odium incurred by General Griffin in 
not permitting the remains of General Albert Sidney Johns- 
ton to be buried with honors, went far to show that there 
were people in the North who would not permit our most 
sacred feelings to be trampled upon without a protest. 

On July 4, 1865, an order was issued that our public 
square, Bienville, was to be given up to the negroes. The 
Southerners heard this with stolid indifference, but not so the 
white Union soldiers, who were furious. We were told that 
their anger and indignation was so great, that the mayor re- 
quested the general in command not to allow any white troops 
to be on guard that day. Several of our young men friends 
told us that some of the soldiers begged them to join them 
and kill every negro in the place. No such feeling of animosity 
existed in the South, and besides that day had always been 
given the negroes as a holiday. 

We were quite curious to know how the negroes would 
act, but as no ladies were likely to be out that day, we did not 
see how we could gratify our curiosity. Dr. Henderson's 
office being opposite the square, he advised us to put on thick 
veils and go down the back streets to his office and see the 
sight. We took his advice, and the scene we witnessed was 
quite suggestive and well calculated to make us think of our 
future. The square was thronged with men, women and chil- 
dren, and outside were open carriages filled with women 
lolling back and acting as they had seen their mistresses do 
on similar occasions. Young and old of the female part had 
on white dresses trimmed with blue and black ; the black 
being mourning for Lincoln, and the blue, in honor of the 
Federal uniform. Platforms were erected inside of the square, 
on which were black and white men haranging the multitude. 



MOBILK. 267 

On our return home we stopped at a friend's house, where 
we met one of her former slaves, a good-natured darkie, 
dressed in the regulation uniform. After we had quizzed her 
a good deal on her new mode of life, I said : " Edie, what are 
you going to do, the Yankees are about to put you all back into 
slavery ?" Sbe answered ; " Well, missus, I tinks dey ought 
to put de ignorant country darkies back, for dey comes to the 
city and knows nuffin', and are only fit for slaves." 

The whole State being under military rule, the bishop 
thinking it mockery to use the prayer for those in civil 
authority, ordered the clergy of the diocese to discontinue 
its use. As the president is prayed for in the same prayer, 
not using it gave great offence to General Thomas, who was 
in command of our district. He issued a pompous proclama- 
tion, ordering the use of the prayer, or he would close the 
churches and arrest any one who would attempt to hold ser- 
vice. Here was the dark ages upon us in earnest — being 
forced to bend our knees and offer up a prayer at the point of 
the bayonet. 

The Sunday after the proclamation was issued, a guard of 
soldiers was placed around St. John's Church to see that it 
was not opened, and I suppose, the same was done to all the 
Episcopal churches throughout the State. The churches re- 
mained closed for many months, and on several Northern 
bishops appealing to Pi^esident Johnston in our behalf, he im- 
mediately ordered General Thomas to rescind his order, which 
he very ungraciously did. 

It was quite amusing the way some people tried to evade 
walking tender the stars and stripes, not thinking that being 
under the flag was symbolical, and whether we walked over 
or around, we were under it to all intents and purposes. One 
day a number of school children were seen, at a certain place, 
to leave the sidewalk and all take the middle of the street. On 



268 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

looking up, the cause of this strange movement was seen to 
be a Federal flag flying from a house they would have to 
pass. 

The soldiers had given some trouble to a family living a 
short distance out of town. One of the young ladies of the 
house went to a station near to get the ofiicer to send a guard 
to protect it as was customary. When she got to the station, 
she had quite an altercation with the soldier on guard, as he 
would not permit her to go around the flag instead of under 
it. The officer, hearing the noise, came out of his office to see 
what was the matter, and good naturedly gave the young lady 
her own way. He sent the guard, and I presume, superin- 
tended himself, for ere long the young lady and the officer 
were united in marriage. The indignation of her young friends 
at her faithlessness to the cause was unbounded, and no greater 
insult could be offered to a young lady than to say she might 
some day be guilty of the same crime. 

One Sunday morning, a lady dressed in deep mourning 
for her young husband, killed in battle, walked into church 
escorted by a fine looking United States officer — I belive a gen- 
eral. The consternation depicted upon the countenances of the 
women portion of the congregation, was a sight to behold. 
That lady, in all of her attractive life, had never been the ob- 
ject of so much attention as she was that morning. How 
could a Southern woman so demean herself? was the queiy. 
On coming out of the church the indignation felt by her fair 
sisters was long and loud. I thought that nothing short of 
having the delinquent tried by court-martial would satisfy 
her friends. But the problem was solved without going to 
such extremities by whisperings from our gentlemen friends. 
There was a rumor afloat of confiscation, and this lady was 
taking conciliatory means to try and save her property. 

In the fall of 1805, ships came from Great Britain, the 



269 



North and other places, to carry off what cotton had been ac- 
cumulated during the war. The merchants made a rule of 
giving freight to foreign vessels and ignoring those from the 
North. This made the captains from these ports extremely 
bitter against us. A captain from an Eastern State, that we 
had known previous to the war, sent us word that he would like 
to call upon us. Knowing of the rumor of his class towards 
the South, we would much rather not have seen him. How- 
ever, as we could not well refuse his request, we resolved to 
treat him with all the politeness in our power, and to let war 
and politics be far from our conversation. But he had come 
with uo such pacific intentions, and much against our wishes, 
his visit was a succession of skirmishes from the beginning 
to the end. In vain we begged for a truce, telling him we 
craved peace, and had had as much of war as we cared for, 
and a good deal more. We also told him we thought the 
South was right, and had not yet changed our minds. But 
this redoubtable warrior was not to be daunted, and rushed on 
to the fray at every opening, and we ladies had our weapons 
ready at every onset. What else could we do but defend our 
cause from such an onslaught? One of his scornful remarks 
was, that he did not know how we could have expected to suc- 
ceed when our army was nothing but a rabble. Of course, 
this speech roused all the latent fire within us, and I an- 
swered : " Yes, granted it was nothing but what you say — a 
rabble. What a glorious rabble, for it had presented one of 
the grandest sights to the whole world, that had ever been 
witnessed. That ragged, shoeless, half starved, magnificent 
rabble had kept the great North, assisted by the whole world, 
at bay for four long years." He said much more in the same 
style, but on leaving, coolly informed us, that in the event of 
another war Mobile would not get oft" so easily as it had done 
this time. We told him we had no idea of going to war again 



270 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

until we remained long enough with the Yankees to imbibe 
some of their policy. 

After his departure, we thought if tliis warlike captain, 
who by the way had never fired a shot during the war, was a 
specimen of our Northern brothers, we might well pray for 
God to have mercy upon us, as we would get very little of it 
from our foes. 

" Peace, thy olive branch extend, 

And bid wild war his ravaoje end ; 
Man with brother man to meet, 

And as a brother kindly greet." 



APPENDIX. 



MRS. ELLA KING NEWSOM. 



The subject of this sketch, Mrs. Ella K. Trader, widow of 
Dr. Frank Newsom, is a native of Brandon, Miss. Her father, 
Rev. T. S. N. King, emigrated west when she was quite a 
child. He settled in the wilds of Arkansas when the bear and 
panther roamed the forest. There being no carriage roads 
there then, her talent for horsemanship made it a useful accom- 
plishment, and so she became a noted equestrienne. No doubt 
the roving life she led in the wilds and swamps of Ai-kansas, 
fitted her to endure the hardships and privations incidental to 
her subsequent life in the hospitals. 

Dr. Newsom came from Tennessee and settled in Arkan- 
sas, where he wooed and won her, while yet in her teens, for 
his bride. He was a very handsome man of a noble and com- 
manding appearance, an accomplished scholar, and suited in 
every way to make his girl-bride a happy woman. The union 
was a most congenial one in every respect, but death, who loves a 
shining mark, soon deprived her of her noble husband. Hav- 
ing been left quite wealthy, she resolved to devote her fortune 
and services as a memorial to the cause he had loved — hence 
her life in the hospitals. 

She had, however, moved to Winchester, Tenn,, for the 
purpose of educating her young sisters, but the war breaking 
out, they returned to the parental roof in Arkansas. Taking 
a number of her own servants and collecting hospital supplies, 
she went to Memphis, Tenn., where her work in the hospitals 
commenced. 

271 



272 GLEANINGS FKOM SOUTHLAND. 

Her initiatory work was in the City Hospital witli camp 
soldiers ; Dr. Kellar, with a corps of Roman Catholic sisters, 
was in charge. She went from there to the Southern Mothers' 
Home, under Mrs. Law, who organized and managed that in- 
stitution for some time. 

After the battle of Belmont Mrs. Newsom was solicited 
by Drs. Tennei" and Marstin, who were in charge of the Over- 
ton Hospital, to become its matron. She remained thereuntil 
she saw from the abundant attentions bestowed upon the 
wounded and sick by the ladies of Memphis, that she could be 
of more service elsewhere. 

Taking her servants and a car load of supplies, in Decem- 
ber, 1861, she went to Bowling Green, Ky., where the most 
horrible sufferings and want of comforts prevailed in the hos- 
pitals. I have often heard her say that no language could ex- 
press the heartrending sights of suffering and neglect of the 
sick soldiers at that place. There were no suitable buildings, 
few supplies of any kind, and the weather being extremely 
cold made matters so much worse. (There was little or no 
organization in the hospital department in nearly the whole 
South at that time.) An eye-witness says Mrs. Newsom went 
to work and bent all her energies to bring order out of chaos, 
and from 4 in the morning until 12 at night this devoted 
Christian woman was a ministering angel at the bedside of 
stricken, suffering Confederates. When General Ployd reached 
Bowling Green with his troops, the surgeons hearing of Mrs. 
Newsom and her noble work, waited upon her and requested 
her to take sole charge of the hospitals in Bowling Green, 
which she did. She remained there until the fall of Forts 
Donaldson and Henry. She then went to Nashville, Tenn., 
and organized the Howard High School into a hospital, and in 
a very short time had it ready for the wounded from these 
forts. Before Nashville fell into the hands of the enemy Mrs. 



APPENDIX. 273 



Newsom, along with Col. Dunn, had the wounded and sick 
placed in cars and carried to Winchester, Tenn., and there 
worked as assiduously as ever for the comfort of the sufferers. 
As was customary then, all of the churches and other large 
buildings were taken for hospitals, and the poor fellows were 
so much pleased with the arrangements made for their benefit 
that they called the place the " Soldiers' Paradise." 

The encroachments of the enemy making another move 
imperative, she went with the sick and wounded to At- 
lanta. She was summoned from the Empire City Hospital of 
that city, to Corinth, Miss., with her servants and supplies to 
administer to the wants of the wounded from the battle of 
Shiloh. She went to the Tishminga hospital, and from there 
to the Corinth House, where I first met her. I shall here copy 
from my journal, showing my first impression of our Florence 
Nightingale : 

May 26. — This morning I visited Mrs. Williamson and 
Mrs. Crocker, ladies who came from Mobile with us. They are 
at the hospital in the Corinth House, and there 1 saw a Mrs. 
Newsom. I do not recollect of ever being so filled with admira- 
tion of a face at first sight. It expressed such purity and good- 
ness that I was reminded of a description of one I had seen in 
a poem : 

" A face whose every feature telleth 
How light they feel this earthly clod; 

A face whose holy beauty sboweth 
Her walk is ever close with God." 

As I gazed at her I felt that the verse connected would not 
be misapplied to her heart : 

" A heart that is a casket holy, 
With brightest jewels garnered there; 

Gems that sorrow's hand hath polished 
Richer gems than pi-inces wear." 



274 GLEANINGS FROM SOUTHLAND. 

Mrs. Williamson told me who she was, and also informed 
me that her face did not belie the goodness and purity of her 
heart ; and that she was a Christian in the truest sense of the 
word. Our next meeting took place when the writer was in 
Chattanooga in the Newsom hospital. She was then matron 
of a hospital in the Crutchfield House, called the Foard, where, 
with her servants, she worked as heroically as ever for the 
good of the cause. 

Her beauty, goodness and fine mental attainments, won 
her many admirers, and of my own personal knowledge, sev- 
eral of our highest ofQcers offered her their hearts and hands. 

Like myself, she kept with the Western army, until the 
close of the war. At the time our array was retreating before 
the advance of Sherman's hosts, she was in Atlanta associated 
with a high-toned Christian lady. Miss Monroe, of Kentucky. 
The wounded men under their care were in tents, and the ex- 
posure was so great that the Sisters of Charity, who had pre- 
viously had the hospital, were compelled to give it up. Mrs. 
Newsom's health giving away at this time, she took a vaca- 
ti(m, and returned through the lines to her home, bringing 
back a young sister, Miss Fannie King, who assisted her a 
short time in the hospitals. Both of these ladies visited me 
while in GriflBn, Ga., in March, 1865, when on their way to 
North Carolina, where they had a young brother in the army. 

Shortly after the war she married Mr. Trader, a lawyer in 
Memphis, Tenn. She had several children, all of whom are 
dead excepting one. Miss May Trader. Mrs. Trader is a 
widow for the second time, and is now living in Washington. 

I cannot close this sketch without paying a personal trib- 
ute to Mrs. Newsom's w^orth. I doubt if any war ever devel- 
oped a more patriotic and whole-souled woman than she was 
during our four years of trial. In appearance she was youth- 
ful to girlishness, and her countenance expressed gentleness. 



APPENDIX. 275 



goodness and purity. She had little externally, that betokened 
the energy and zeal for her work, which were among her rul- 
ing traits. When duty called, her perseverance was inflexible. 
When lying very ill in Chattanooga, the doctors ordered me 
ice. There having been a thaw, the article was scarce, and 
many of our convalescents were sent off for some, but all re- 
turned empty handed. Mrs. Newson, taking one of her 
servants, and after going quite a distance, searching in all (>f 
the rivulets and shady nooks by the river, returned with the 
much sought-for article. 

She and I once went " foraging "for milk, or anything else 
we could procure for our patients. We wandered unsuccess- 
fully far into the outskirts of Chattanooga, when I proposed 
return, which was met with a decided negative. She then and 
there gave me a lesson in perseverance by pushing on until 
the desired object was obtained. It was while on these ram- 
bles that I saw much of her true character, as her conversation 
denoted a mind well stored with erudition of a very high order. 
By the wounded and sick, to whom she ministered, she 
was looked upon as an ethereal being, and I have heaid many 
of her patients speak of her as such. Being a devout Chris- 
tian, her whole walk showed her love for her master's work. 
" Inasmuch as ye have done it unto these, my brethren, ye 
have done it unto me." The beauties of Christianity were so 
exemplified by her life that its influence radiated upon all with 
whom she came in contact. 

She once told me that as soon as the war was over she in - 
tended opening an institution for soldiers' orphans. Of course-, 
at that time, we never thought of such a thing as being di - 
feated. She, like thousands of others, lost much by oar fail- 
ure. But the memory of her noble life spent in the cause of 
suttering humanity during our war will ever remain as a 
memorial of what can be done by a true woman. 



TABLE OF APPROXIMATE VALUES OF GOLD AND CURRENCY. 

186 2. 



January ... 1 

" 10 

. " 20 

February.. 1 

" 10 

20 

M arch 1 

10 
20 



o 

o 


o 

a 
a 
o 


100 


120 


100 


122 


100 


125 


100 


125 


100 


128 


100 


135 


100 


140 


100 


150 


100 


160 



April 1 

" 10 

" 20 

May 1 

10 
20 

June 1 

10 
" 20 



o 


9 

3 


100 


165 


100 


170 


100 


170 


100 


170 


100 


180 


100 


190 


100 


190 


100 


190 


100 


180 



July . 



August . 



Septemb.. 1 





o 


o 




o 


c 












3 
p 


1 


100 


190 


10 


10(1 


190 


20 


100 


200 


1 


100 


200 


10 


100 


200 


20 


100 


200 


1 


100 


225 


10 


100 


225 


20 


100 


250 







Ti 






o 












Q^ 


DATE. 






October. 


. 1 


100 


" 


10 


100 


" 


20 


100 


Novemb . 


. 1 


100 


" 


10 


100 


" 


20 


100 


Decemb . 


. 1 


100 


" 


10 


mo 


" 


20 


100 



January.. . 1 


100 


310 


April . 


.. 1 


100 


460, 


July 1 


100 700 


October.. 1 


100 1 


10 


100 


.S20| 


" 


10 


100 


410 


10 


too 800 


10 


100 1 


20 


100 


320 


" 


20 


100 


5001 


20 


100 900 


20 


100 ] 


February. • 1 


lOO' 


300 


May . . . 


.. 1 


100 


515' 


Auarust. . 1 


100 1000 


Novemb.. 1 


lOOl 1 


10 


100] 


300 


" 


10 


100 


5201 1 " 10 


1001 1200 


10 


100! ] 


20 


lOOl 


310 


" 


20 j 


100 


550 


21) 


lOO' 1300 


20 


100 1 


March 1 


lOOi 


350 


June . . 


... 1 


100 


625 


Septemb.. 1 


100 1400 


Deceml).. 1 


100 ] 


10 


100 


385 


" 


10 


100 


625 


10 


100 IfidO 


10 


1011 1 


20 


100 


400j 


" 


20 1 


100 


040 


20 


100 1200 


20 


100 1 



January. . 



February. 



March . 



1 


100 


1800 


10 


100 


1800 


20 


100 


1800 


1 


100 


I90n 


10 


100 


2000 


20 


100 


2200 


1 


100 


2000 


10 


100 


2000 


20 


100 


2000 



May. 



June . 



1 100 


2000 


1 100 


1900 


100 


1800 


100 


1600 


100 


2000 


100 


2000 


! 100 


1300 


, 100 


1700 


I 100 


1700 



July. 



Augutt . 



Septemb 



100 


1700 


100 


1700 


100 


1800 


100 


2600 


100 


3200 


100 


3200 


100 


3000 


100 


3000 


100 


3000 



October. 
Jv ovemb . 
Decemb . 



1 


100 


10 


100 


20 


100 


1 


100 


10 


100 


20 


100 


1 


100 


10 


100 


20 


100 



January. .. 1 
" ' • 10 
" 20 



100 


34001 


100 


40001 


100 


35001 



February. 11 

10 
" 20l 



5000; 

45001 
4500 



March . 



1001 ■i'^00 
100 5000 
100 5000 



April 11 

10 



100 
100 



Thin Table shows tlie value of Gold as compared with Currency on the 1st, 10th and 20th 
each month. 

THOS. P. MILLER & CO., Bankers, Mobile. 

PRICES OF PROVISIONS. 

This Price-Current was copied from a Mobile paper. Provi.sions rose fully 50 per cent, fr 
January, 1865, until the close of the war. 



ARTICLES. 

Flour, extra., bbl. 

" superf..bbl. 

" fine — bbl. 
Corn Meal . . . .bush. 

Corn sack. 

Coffee, Rio.. . lb. 
Sugar, brown, .lb. 

" refined.. lb. 
Butter, country .lb. 

Eggs "doz. 

Bacon lb. 

Lard lb. 

Fresh Reef lb. 

Fresh Pork lb. 

Coal, Shelby ton 
Candles, Sperm. lb. 




25 $57 00 $100 
100 



10 00 


53 00 


8 00 


50 00 


1 00 


3 00 


88 


3 00 


60 


3 25 


7 


35 


23 


1 00 


50 


1 00 


20 


1 00 


21 


30 


19 


53 


8 


15 


14 


30 


15 00 




75 


2 66 




ARTICLES. 



Salt, Liverpool.sk. flO 

Soap, hard lb 

Tallow lb. 

Potatoes, sw. . . bii. 
" Ir....bbl. 

Onions bbl. 

Chickens doz. 

Turkeys doz. 

Rice lb. 

Cow Peas bu. 

Molasses, N.O.gal. 
Apples, dried.. lb. 
Peaches, dried. lb. 

Beeswax lb. 

Wheat bu. 

Wood, oak... .cord 



Jan. 


Jan. 


Jan. 


1862. 


1863. 


1864. 


f 10 00 


$ 


$ -. .. 


12 


50 


80 


18 


80 


1 50 


1 10 


2 50 


5 00 


10 00 




60 00 


8 00 






3 50 


7 00 


25 66 


10 00 


30 00 


75 00 


7 


12 


22 


1 00 


2 7r. 


6 00 


50 


2 50 


14 00 


7 


28 


60 


17 


38 


90 


30 


90 


1 75 


3 50 




7 00 


2 50 


15 66 


30 00 



Ja 

18C 

$ 38 

2 

5 

12 

80 

100 

75 

100 

2 

14 

20 

2 

3 

5 

28 

70 



APPENDIX. 277 



List of the names of the men from Alabama who died in prison 
near New York City, and buried in Cypress Hills Ceme- 
tery, East New York, L. I.: 

John Langdon 1st Ala. Reg't 

Hairy Chambers 48th Ala. Reg't 

J. W. Parish 48th Ala. Reg't 

F. M. Lapp 8th Ala. Reg' r 

P. C. Cash 48th Ala. Reg' t 

D. M. Harley 47th Ala. Reg't 

Robert Carroll 3d Ala. Reg't 

A. H. McDermot 1st Ala State Artillery 

David Phelps 1st Ala. State Artillei y 

Jefferson Watson 1st Ala. State Artillei y 

W. B. Smith 1st Ala. State Artillery 

Jackson Turner 1st Ala. State Artillei y 

The.se names of Alabama troops were copied from a register kept 
near the grave yard, with no intention of having them published, or 
the names of those from the other Southern States would have been 
taken also. 



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